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Last Modified on Jul 21, 2025
When your loved one lives in a long-term care facility in North Carolina, their safety depends on careful supervision by staff and nurses. One dangerous and often overlooked issue in North Carolina nursing homes is elopement. If you are wondering how to tell if your loved one is at risk for nursing home elopement at a NC facility, it is important to understand the causes behind it and what you should look for.
Experienced Elder Attorneys in North Carolina
At Pleasant Law, PLLC, we have worked tirelessly for years to support and represent victims of nursing home abuse and neglect in North Carolina. We have seen firsthand how abuse and neglect can lead to elopement and harm. Your loved one deserves to be cared for and protected, regardless of their condition. Our experienced nursing home abuse lawyer team not only recognizes that, but we have built our firm around the focus that the elderly deserve compassionate care and justice.
Understanding Elopement and the Dangers Involved
Elopement is when a resident leaves a facility without staff knowledge or permission. These incidents are often dangerous and can lead to the injury or death of a senior. As of 2020, 210,500 North Carolinians age 65 and older had Alzheimer’s. Because many of these elders need close supervision, a nursing home is generally the safest place for them to live. However, North Carolina faces systemic issues with elder care, and many facilities are understaffed.
Elopement can happen due to a variety of circumstances, such as facilities:
- Failing to check in regularly with residents
- Ignoring prior behavior that could indicate future elopement
- Lacking proper security systems
North Carolina Elopement Laws
Under 42 CFR §483.20, nursing homes must carefully evaluate resident health, abilities, and needs upon moving into the facility. This assessment includes noting things like:
- Memory
- Mood
- Physical abilities
- Daily habits
- Medical conditions
- Medications
- Personal preferences
The nursing home must perform this evaluation annually and anytime there is a large change in a resident’s condition. Compliance with evaluation guidelines can help avoid cases of elopement. However, without adequate care and supervision, elopement can still occur.
Looking at Neglect Issues Throughout the State
In North Carolina, nursing homes are required to meet specific care standards under North Carolina 10A NCAC 13D and Code of Federal Regulations §483.25. The facility must provide care based on each resident’s unique needs and choices in their personal care plan. Unfortunately, these regulations are commonly violated by staff members at nursing homes.
According to an audit of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which is in charge of investigating abuse and neglect in nursing facilities, the majority of required nursing home inspections were not regularly conducted on time between 2021 and 2023. For higher-risk nursing homes, inspections are required every six months, but 67% of these inspections were delayed beyond that timeframe.
Due to staffing shortages in not only the DHHS but most nursing homes as well, negligence and abuse run rampant throughout long-term care facilities in the United States. North Carolina’s DHHS has an average staff turnover rate of 17.8%. Because of this, families often find they cannot rely on the government to protect their loved ones, making them the first to notice neglect or abuse instead.
Neglect and abuse are driving causes of elopement in nursing homes across the country. It’s important to hire an experienced elopement lawyer if you suspect neglect might lead to your loved one attempting to escape.
Hire an Elopement Lawyer Who Can Protect Your Loved One
Pleasant Law, PLLC, has been a trusted law firm for elders across North Carolina for nearly two decades. Our firm has secured over $30 million in settlements against some of the nation’s largest healthcare providers. We focus on holding negligent nursing homes accountable for serious harm and have handled cases involving:
- Elopement
- Falls and fractures
- Bedsores
- Malnutrition
- Assault
- Infections
- Head injuries
- Wrongful death
Our lead attorney, Thomas W. Pleasant, brings over 25 years of legal experience to every case. He has dedicated the last 15 years of his career to assisting victims of nursing home negligence and abuse in North Carolina.
FAQs
What Are the Dangers of Elopement in North Carolina?
Residents who elope may leave their nursing home without food, water, or vital medical care. They may be at risk of walking into traffic or rural areas with no one around to help them, especially if their cognitive abilities are declining. They may face harsh weather conditions or fall and hurt themselves. They may break North Carolina laws without understanding, and law enforcement may not realize they have cognitive impairments.
How Do You Gather Proof of Negligence When You Suspect Your Loved One May Elope in North Carolina?
If you fear your loved one may elope from a nursing home, you should consult and alert the staff immediately. If the staff dismisses you or you believe the elopement is a result of negligence, you should gather as much evidence as possible to prove negligence. Evidence may include statements from your loved one, pictures or videos that show poor living conditions or signs of physical abuse, and care plans that should note elopement risk.
What Are the Red Flags for Elopement in a North Carolina Nursing Home?
There are several warning signs that could indicate the risk of future elopement. These include frequent attempts to leave supervised areas and sudden changes in behavior. Residents with cognitive impairments, like dementia, are also at higher risk. Additionally, if your loved one expresses a strong desire to leave or has unexplained physical injuries, these may be signs of mistreatment and a possible reason for trying to escape the facility.
What Should I Do If I Suspect My Loved One Will Elope in North Carolina?
It’s important to act quickly if you suspect your loved one is going to attempt to elope from their North Carolina nursing home. Start by talking to the nursing home staff, clearly explaining your concerns and asking for a formal meeting to discuss preventive steps. Monitor any behavioral changes and consider consulting an elder care attorney for advice if you’re experiencing any pushback or suspect negligence.
Contact a Trusted North Carolina Law Firm
If you believe negligence may cause your loved one to elope or they have already attempted it, do not wait to seek aid from a compassionate, experienced elopement lawyer. Contact Pleasant Law, PLLC, today to take legal action against negligent nursing home facilities in North Carolina.
