After Bailie Smith’s grandmother decided to move her husband, William Cone, into a care home for his safety, tragedy struck just 36 hours later. Cone, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, managed to leave Preston Special Care Home in Saskatoon unnoticed on Oct. 11, alarming his family.
Smith recounted the distressing moment when her grandmother received a call from a concerned citizen who witnessed Cone’s fall and alerted emergency services. Astonishingly, the care home staff were unaware of his absence until his wife notified them.
Cone, aged 86, ventured about eight blocks with a walker, wearing slippers, before fracturing his hip. Following surgery at Royal University Hospital on Oct. 13, his health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing on Oct. 20.
Operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Preston Special Care Home has initiated an official inquiry into the incident to ascertain the sequence of events that transpired.
Smith expressed her grandmother’s devastation over the situation, emphasizing the preventable nature of the tragedy. She highlighted that Cone, a retired Canada Post worker, an active church member, and a devoted family man, was still mentally sharp for the most part.
The family is now advocating for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Cone’s departure and are calling for systemic reforms to safeguard vulnerable residents in care homes. Smith stressed the need for mandatory installation of security measures like cameras, patient alarms, and secured doors to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
Despite facing resistance and minimal communication from the care home, the family remains resolute in seeking accountability and pushing for improved care practices to avert similar mishaps in the future. They hope that by sharing their story, they can prompt changes that prioritize the safety and well-being of all residents in care facilities.