After relocating her husband of nearly 60 years to a care facility, Bailie Smith’s grandmother believed he would be secure. However, just 36 hours following his admission to Preston Special Care Home in Saskatoon, William Cone, affectionately called Lauri, managed to leave the premises unnoticed on October 11 due to his Alzheimer’s condition.
Smith revealed that her grandmother was alerted by a concerned citizen who witnessed Cone’s fall and promptly called for medical assistance. Surprisingly, the care home staff was unaware of his departure until informed by his grandmother. Cone, 86, wearing slippers and utilizing a walker, had traversed approximately eight blocks before falling and fracturing his hip. Subsequently, he underwent surgery at Royal University Hospital on October 13 but experienced a rapid decline, leading to his passing on October 20.
Operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the care home is now under a formal review to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Cone’s departure. Smith expressed her grandmother’s devastation, highlighting her attempts to communicate with the care home, which seemed to shift blame onto Cone for leaving.
Notably, Cone had been temporarily placed at the facility on October 9 while awaiting a permanent accommodation. Smith mentioned that a kitchen renovation was ongoing, and a door near Cone’s room had been carelessly left ajar, contrary to the only security measure of exit doors being locked with security codes. This lapse in monitoring or alarms allowed Cone to wander off undetected.
Describing Cone as a retired Canada Post worker actively involved in his community, Smith emphasized his love for sports and family engagement. The family now demands an investigation and systemic changes to prevent similar incidents, advocating for mandatory security measures like cameras, alarms, and locked doors at care facilities.
Despite encountering resistance from the care home, Smith’s family seeks accountability and aims to raise awareness to protect vulnerable individuals in care settings. The Saskatchewan Health Authority extended condolences to the family and pledged a comprehensive review with family input to enhance care services. Smith emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of loved ones in care facilities, urging for proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable residents.
