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For older adults, the freedom to come and go is essential to a sense of home, quality of life, and a connection to the natural world, especially for those living in congregate communities and long-term care facilities. 

Susan Wehry, M.D., chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine within the SWAG��Ƶ College of Osteopathic Medicine (SWAG��Ƶ COM), delivered this message in a recent webinar for professional liability company Constellation.

Wehry presented “Safe/Unsafe Leaving: A new look at the old problem of ‘elopements’” for Constellation on Feb. 19. The presentation discussed the tension between notions of creating home and notions of what it means to keep residents safe.

Leaving without a companion may become unsafe if a resident has cognitive impairment or a mobility limitation, and most senior living communities may spend time trying to keep that resident safely inside. 

However, the freedom to come and go is crucial to feeling autonomous, Wehry said, and there are many ways to create a safe-leaving program that optimizes a sense of home and mitigates risk to residents.

"I'm glad to have had the opportunity to move this conversation forward," said Wehry, a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities, including older adults living with dementia. "We will find a better way to support people than simply locking them up for safety's sake."

The webinar was attended by nearly 60% of Constellation’s long-term care registrants, said Lori Atkinson, RN, B.S.N., CPHRM, CPPS, Constellation content manager and patient safety expert.

“We were very pleased with the response rate to this offering,” Atkinson said. “Clearly, this is a timely topic that is very much on everyone’s mind. Dr. Wehry's clarity and conversational tone made it so accessible.”