How Open Access Environments and Resident-Centered Care Practices May Help Wandering and Elopement Issues in Nursing Homes

​​Some nursing homes are seeing positive outcomes from "unlocking doors" and focusing on resident-centered care practices, as reported in an article published in the November 2018 issue of Caring for the Ages. The article discusses the ideas of Dr. Allen Power, author of several books on dementia care, who suggests finding the root causes of wandering and elopement to better meet the needs of residents is a more therapeutic and resident-centered approach than disguising or locking doors to keep residents from leaving. "We need to create a safe environment where people can move freely, but have their needs met so they aren't compelled to leave due to distress or lack of well-being," said Dr. Powell in an interview for the article.