Death at Select Senior Living - Exposure
Select Senior Living – Elopement. According to excerpts from a report from the Minnesota Department of Health, they investigated an allegation of maltreatment, in accordance with the Minnesota Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults Act, Minn. Stat. 626.557, and to evaluate compliance with applicable licensing standards for the provider type.
According to the report the facility allegedly neglected the resident when it did not verify his whereabouts while performing safety checks. The resident was not in his room but had left the building, not dressed for the cold weather, and found deceased outside in the neighborhood.
MDH Substantiated Neglect Against Select Senior Living
The Minnesota Department of Health determined neglect was substantiated against Select Senior Living.
The facility was responsible for the maltreatment. The resident was observed with increased confusion and later during overnight safety checks was not found in his room. The facility did not initiate a search for the missing resident and remained unaware of his whereabouts until the next morning when police contacted the facility. The resident had been found deceased outside in the neighborhood.
According to the MDH report, the investigator contacted law enforcement and the case worker. The investigation included review of the resident record, death record, clinical records, facility internal investigation, facility incident reports, staff schedules, law enforcement report, and related facility policy and procedures. Also, the investigator observed resident activity and staff interactions with residents at the facility as well as the location and functions of the exit doors.
The resident resided in an assisted living facility. The resident’s diagnoses included diabetes, lung and heart disease. His vulnerability assessment indicated he was legally blind, had an unsteady gait and used a cane for assistance. The cognitive assessment indicated the resident was alert and oriented with poor decision making and safety awareness but able to understand directions. The resident was given reminders to sign out if he planned to leave the facility.
The MDH report goes to state that one December evening, facility staff observed the resident walking around confused, carrying a cat and at one point trying to go outside not dressed for the cold weather. The resident’s behavior was not reported or communicated as concerning. Later that night, facility staff observed the resident was not in his room during safety checks. The sign out log was checked to see if he logged himself out of the facility, but he had not. The facility remained unaware of the resident’s whereabouts the police contacted the facility at 6:00 a.m. the following morning saying the resident had been found dead in the neighborhood.
Later a review of facility security video for this evening showed the resident walking in the hallways carrying a cat and at 9:42 p.m. the resident exited the side entrance door of the building with the cat.
The resident’s death record indicated the cause of death was environmental cold exposure.
In conclusion, the Minnesota Department of Health determined neglect was substantiated.
Contact An Experienced Attorney to Review Your Case
If you have questions or concerns about resident elopement or wandering from an assisted living or care facility suffered by someone you love contact Attorney Kenneth LaBore for a Free Consultation at 612-743-9048.