The problem of seniors with cognitive issues wandering away from assisted living facilities or being left outside unattended has been thrust into the legal and societal spotlight as the year came to a close. Since 2018, at least 98 seniors have died under such circumstances, according tothe findings of a blockbuster investigation published in December by The Washington Post.
The investigation analyzed over 100,000 state inspection reports and found that more than 61 percent of the deaths were due to exposure to extreme heat or cold. The causes of death varied, with some patients drowning or being hit by cars. The investigation also highlighted that the numbers the Post discovered are almost certainly a daily profound undercount, as 19 states don’t currently allow public access to their state reports.
The cases uncovered by the investigation shed light on a concerning trend of neglect in the assisted living industry, where many elderly patients, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease or other mental impairments, have suffered fatal consequences after wandering away from these facilities.
Anyone reading the compelling interactive Post report is left with two pressing overarching questions: how do such horrific incidents occur, and what are potentially viable solutions to prevent them?
Causes of the problem
Understaffing and negligent management
One of the primary reasons for these incidents is a lack of supervision in assisted living facilities. Understaffing these facilities places an undue and wholly........