How often must facilities have elopement drills?
A minimum of two resident elopement prevention and response drills must be held annually at facilities. When a resident vacates an institution without permission, it is known as elopement. Assisted living facilities have policies and processes in place to evaluate each resident's risk of eloping, implement risk mitigation measures for those recognized as such, implement resident identification measures within the facility, and manage missing residents. Assisted living facility residents may elope for a number of reasons, including bewilderment, disorientation, wandering, or agitation. Sometimes a family member of a resident will unintentionally assist a resident in eloping.
How can assisted living facilities prevent elopement incidents?
Assisted living facilities can prevent elopement incidents by conducting regular drills, assessing each resident's risk level, implementing appropriate mitigation measures, enhancing resident identification protocols, and closely monitoring residents to prevent them from leaving without authorization.