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I got a call today at work that my mom somehow got outside in the parking lot and was trying to get into someone’s car (she thought it was hers) to leave and go home. My mom lives in the 3rd floor! The doors have alarms, and she would have either walked down all the stairs or take the elevator to first floor. They tried having me talk to her on the phone, while she was outside in 60 degree weather with her PJ’s on. She told me the last she knew, she lived in America and could go wherever she wanted. I know she can be argumentative, and we’re getting her tested for UTI because she has had 3 of them...all when she was extra obstinate. When I got to MC, 20 minutes later, she was in her room with clothes on. Nobody filled me in on what happened. My mom was calm and she felt like everyone hated her. Anybody else have an escape artist? Needless to say, I emailed the director of all that happened. I asked if an incident report was written up, especially we don’t want this to happen again.

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When I worked in a Memory Care ALF last year, we did have a male resident 'escape' once. He was a very active gentleman, always looking for a way out! The activities director went out of a locked exit door and didn't wait for it to latch closed........the resident saw his chance, walked through that door, and was then able to get outside through an exit door that didn't have an alarm attached to it! The receptionist on duty that evening saw Walter outside walking around & couldn't believe her eyes! Staff was alerted and he was escorted back into the building, thank God.

Another time, we had a resident who'd wait by the locked doors to the lobby; she was a very small & thin woman who'd lurk in the corner out of view of the cameras we had at the front desk. When a visitor would knock at the door to come out to the lobby, she was right behind him! She ran at top speed right out the front exit door and into the parking lot. The poor receptionist on duty that night ran right after her............about 1/2 a mile down the street trying to coax her back into the building! The resident was crying and confused, it was cold outside, the whole thing was a terrible ordeal for both of them. Finally, the receptionist was able to take the resident by the hand and walk her back into the building with the promise of a hot chocolate and a warm blanket.

Yes, these things DO happen from time to time, unfortunately. Some residents are always trying to get out so the staff has to be on high alert at all times! I'm glad your mom wasn't injured during her little escapade !
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I have heard of escapes before. One of my mom’s caregivers from Council on Aging once told me that she worked a facility where a woman got out and was walking along the side of the highway when they found her.

Are you allowed to place cameras in her room? It’s legal here to do so, but is not legal everywhere. At least you could check on her from time to time by looking at the camera.

My mom started to wander around at night with her walker and tried to walk out of the front door at my brother’s house. He barricaded the front door and she somehow moved the barricades, which was very scary! She had Parkinson’s disease with mobility issues and had falls. So, I completely understand your concerns about your mom being in danger if she escapes her facility.

What explanation did the facility give for her escaping?

I hope that you are able to resolve this issue and that your mom remains safe and your mind will be at ease. Best wishes for you and your mom.
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marcykong May 2021
The explaination was that it took them awhile to realize it was my mom who made the door alarm go off. She made it to the 2nd floor. The head nurse then let her walk it off, letting her go into the parking lot to see that it wasn't her car. Finally my mom realized it was not her car and she was ready to go back inside. They're checking for UTI and I'm trying to find a dr who will get her on Seroquel.
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Marcy,

Thanks for your response. You mentioned Seroquel. My mom was given Seroquel and she did well on it. I hope your mom responds well to this drug too.
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When my LO entered Memory Care she was still a beautiful, petite woman with a flashy wardrobe.

The day I took her, several of the staff thought I was the new resident and that she was escorting me (did nothing for my ego, but even I thought it was funny).

Although she had very poor memory, she was still very socially adept, and she quickly realized that if she followed departing family members she could get through the front door. Because her appearance was so good, they would often hold the locked door open for her and she could enter the elevator to the main floor undiscovered.

In time they had to post a picture of her in the lobby to make people aware that she was a paying guest.
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