Home / Crime and Justice / System Fails Senior: Woman Dies Outdoors
System Fails Senior: Woman Dies Outdoors
4 Jun
Summary
- Woman with dementia died after escaping care home 12 times.
- Department acknowledged unsafe conditions but didn't act.
- Advocate calls death preventable and a systemic failure.
A year after it was recognized that a woman named Alice, suffering from dementia, could no longer safely remain in her special care home, she died after her 12th escape. She was found unresponsive, having spent the entire night outside.
Alice's physician had advised a higher level of protection for her two and a half years prior. Despite multiple escapes and incident reports filed with the Social Development Department over the subsequent months, no additional resources or interventions were provided. The department's assessment process was also delayed, leaving Alice in the same unsafe environment.
The New Brunswick seniors advocate, Kelly Lamrock, stated that the department failed to act with necessary urgency. He emphasized that Alice's death was preventable and highlighted a systemic failure within the long-term care system. The advocate warned that without significant changes, similar tragedies will continue to occur, a sentiment echoed by opposition parties calling for accountability and systemic fixes.
