LAI-AL117 - What ALPs Can Do to Prevent Elopements

Presented on July 17, 2024

Just because someone is older doesn't mean they lack agility. Having dementia doesn't mean a person won't leave the building with purpose. A lovely community doesn't guarantee tenants are calm, happy, and comfortable. A secure living situation may not prevent elopement, wandering, or pacing. Even a beautiful environment might not keep someone satisfied, and planned activities may not be suitable or interesting for all individuals.

When we think of elopement, it's often associated with dementia. However, elopement is a risk for others too. It's crucial to regularly identify those at risk and understand that elopement behaviors will change over time. Staff should be trained effectively in preventing elopement and responding quickly if someone goes missing.

Additionally, we need to anticipate reasons for elopement and adapt our approach, environment, and activities to reduce the desire to leave. Elopement can be deadly, underscoring the need for prediction, prevention, and protection to ensure a safe environment for all tenants.

• List modifiable reasons individuals will attempt to elope.
• Identify ways to predict elopement behaviors.
• List person-centered activities that will engage a person to keep them calm and satisfied in their safe environment to assist in reducing elopement risk.
• Describe the difference between pacing, wandering, and elopement and how to protect the tenant specific to those situations.

Faculty

Kari K. Brizendine, PT, CWS, CDP, CADDCT, CMDCT, Select

Who Should Attend
Assisted Living Managers, Administrators, Department Heads, Social Workers, Nurse Leaders, and other staff who may encounter elopement situations. Appropriate for Assisted Living Programs.

Continuing Education Credit

LAI Assisted Living Manager Recertification – Participants who attend the entire event will be eligible for 1.25 contact hours. Please note that partial credit will not be granted; full attendance is required to receive contact hours or a certificate of attendance. LAI will verify electronic virtual sign-in and sign-out times before issuing certificates.

Iowa Board of Nursing Provider #67 – LeadingAge Iowa is an approved provider of continuing education for nurses, accredited by the Iowa Board of Nursing (Provider No. 67). Participants who attend the event in its entirety will be eligible for 1.25 contact hours. Please note that partial credit will not be granted; you must attend the entire event to receive contact hours or a certificate of attendance. LAI will verify electronic virtual sign-in and sign-out times before issuing certificates. Evaluations for this event can be submitted directly to the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Social Services – The event is designed to provide 1.25 contact hours, aligning with the criteria set by the Iowa Board of Examiners for Social Workers for participants who attend the entire event. Please note that partial credit will not be granted; full attendance is required to receive contact hours or a certificate of attendance. LAI will verify electronic virtual sign-in and sign-out times before issuing certificates.

Activity Professionals – This session has been approved by the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals for 1.25 contact hours for Certified Activity Professionals who attend this session in its entirety.  Partial credit for this session will not be granted. To receive contact hours or a certificate of attendance, you must attend the entire session.

Nursing Home Administrators – The event is designed to provide 1.25 contact hours, aligning with the criteria set by the Iowa Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators for participants who attend the entire event. Please note that partial credit will not be granted; full attendance is required to receive contact hours or a certificate of attendance. LAI will verify electronic virtual sign-in and sign-out times before issuing certificates.

Registration Information
This program recording is approximately 75 minutes in length. Registration fees include access to the recording and handouts for this program, as well as a CEU/attendance certificate for one user. Once you purchase the program, unlimited viewing of the recording content will be available using the registrant login information for 30 days.