High Risk Wandering Season

DOH has issued its yearly DAL on unsafe wandering.  At times when the weather is warm nursing home residents are at greater risk for unsafe wandering and elopement. 

DOH recommends that a review be conducted the facility's wandering behavior management program. The program should promote time for outside activities that can be therapeutic and helpful to the resident's health status and quality of life, while also including mechanisms that reduce the risk of unsafe behaviors and adverse outcomes that can result.

The DAL emphasizes that it is important to remain attentive to prevent negative resident outcomes associated with unsafe wandering. ALL staff should be aware of the facility's systems, policies and procedures for identifying, managing, preventing, and responding to unsafe behaviors. Additionally, to ensure ongoing resident safety, leadership should communicate with staff when back-up systems are implemented due to non-functioning, primary alarm systems. DOH suggests posting the DAL at all nursing stations, staff rooms and security areas.

Contact:  Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832