After Bailie Smith’s grandmother relocated her husband to Preston Special Care Home in Saskatoon for his safety, a distressing incident occurred. William Cone, also known as Lauri, who had Alzheimer’s disease, went missing from the facility just 36 hours after his arrival on October 11. It was not until a concerned citizen witnessed Cone’s fall and contacted his family that the care home realized he had wandered off.
Subsequently, Cone, 86, was found eight blocks away with a broken hip after using a walker. Despite undergoing surgery at Royal University Hospital on October 13, his health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing on October 20. The Saskatchewan Health Authority, which oversees the care home, has launched an official inquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding Cone’s departure.
Smith expressed that her grandmother, Elizabeth Cone, who had been caring for her husband alone for years, is devastated by the incident. She mentioned that the care home seemingly shifted blame onto her grandmother for Cone’s departure, which could have been prevented. Cone had been temporarily residing at the facility awaiting a permanent placement, during which a kitchen renovation was ongoing, leaving a door near his room propped open.
According to Smith, the facility’s only security measure was pin pads on exit doors, but the door Cone used was left unmonitored with no security codes, cameras, or alarms. Cone, a retired Canada Post employee and active community member, was dearly loved by his family and was involved in various activities even with his condition.
Smith emphasized the need for an investigation into the incident and urged for systemic changes to safeguard individuals with Alzheimer’s in care homes. She highlighted the importance of mandatory security measures such as cameras, alarms, and locked doors to prevent similar occurrences. The family has reached out to the provincial ombudsman and is contemplating involving law enforcement due to the care home’s lack of communication and apparent avoidance of responsibility.
In response, the Saskatchewan Health Authority extended condolences to the family and committed to a comprehensive review involving family input and future care enhancements. Smith hopes that sharing their story will prompt accountability and encourage families to advocate for the safety of their loved ones in care facilities.
