Cape Elizabeth, Maine – A recent incident involving a disoriented elderly man wandering away from a residential care facility in Cape Elizabeth, Maine has raised concerns about the safety and supervision of residents in such facilities. The man was found by a neighbor and brought back to the facility, prompting an investigation by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Despite the incident, the agency closed the case without citing the facility for failing to prevent the man from wandering away.
This incident sheds light on the issue of elopements, where residents unsafely wander out of long-term care facilities, particularly among those with dementia. State records show that between 2020 and 2022, residents wandered away from Maine residential care facilities at least 115 times, with incidents occurring at 48 Level IV facilities in the state.
The lack of thorough investigations and sanctions by the health department in response to elopements has drawn criticism from experts and advocates. Gerontologist Eilon Caspi emphasized the importance of investigating every elopement incident and imposing fines in serious cases to ensure the safety of residents. However, the health department’s limited response to these incidents raises concerns about the oversight and regulation of residential care facilities in Maine.
One such incident at Woodlands Memory Care of Rockland resulted in the tragic death of a resident who wandered into a locked outdoor courtyard unnoticed for nearly two hours. Despite the severity of the incident, the facility was only required to submit a plan of correction, highlighting the discrepancies between state and federal responses to elopements in care facilities.
Advocates and experts stress the need for stringent regulations, including higher staffing requirements, more dementia training, and the establishment of a dementia advisory council to address the specific needs of residents with Alzheimer’s and other memory issues. State Rep. Margaret Craven’s efforts to introduce legislation aimed at improving the care standards in residential facilities have faced obstacles, but she remains committed to advocating for better oversight and support for vulnerable residents.
The challenges faced by residential care facilities in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, especially those with dementia, underscore the need for enhanced regulations, training, and accountability measures. As incidents of elopements continue to occur, there is a pressing need for comprehensive reforms to address the shortcomings in the current system and prioritize the care and safety of all residents in long-term care facilities.