98 Deaths of Seniors Wandering From Assisted Living Facilities

Between 2018 and late 2023, the Washington Post found 98 incidents involving cognitively impaired seniors who wandered from their assisted-living facilities, or were left unattended outside, and died.

Reporters from The Post compiled the list using state inspection reports, reports from local media, police reports and legal records. Even though 10 states did not provide information on these types of incidents, the local media in these states reported on them.

It is important to note that while 98 incidents is a lot, reporters believe the true true number of fatalities related to wandering incidents is even higher.

The Post discovered incidents in 33 of 50 states. California had the highest number of incidents, with a total of nine deaths related to wandering seniors. Florida had eight fatalities due to wandering, Arizona had seven, Pennsylvania had seven, Michigan had 6 and Wisconsin, Ohio, Colorado and Georgia each had five.

Incidents made the list if the resident had Alzheimer’s or some other cognitive issue and either wandered outside or was left outside without supervision. There was one incident in which a resident died in a stairwell. In another incident, a resident was placed in an independent living facility, despite having a contract with the facility that said he required assisted living.

The Post did not limit its reporting to incidents that resulted in state citations against the facilities. However, about 90 percent of the facilities on this list were cited by state authorities.

Did Your Elderly Loved One Suffer Nursing Home Neglect? Call PKSD

The Washington Post research highlights a widespread problem in the long-term care industry of elderly people either wandering away or being left outside without supervision.

If this happened to your loved one and resulted in serious or fatal injuries, the facility and others may be liable for damages. PKSD helps families seek justice and compensation when residents of long-term care facilities are neglected.

Contact our nursing home abuse lawyers to discuss possible legal options with no upfront cost. We have secured millions for nursing home neglect victims. We currently accept cases in Wisconsin, New Mexico and Iowa.

Call PKSD to learn more about possible legal options: 414-333-3333 .