Families Cannot Protect Elderly Relatives from Harmful Visitors in Care Facilities

Summary

Families of seniors with cognitive or behavioral issues have no effective way to control or prevent visits from estranged or harmful relatives once they discover the senior's location. A single visit can trigger severe behavioral regression, wandering, and hospitalizations, as illustrated by a father who relapsed and got lost after an uncle's visit. Facilities often fail to enforce visitor restrictions, and families face harassment from relatives demanding location information. This leaves families feeling helpless to ensure their loved one's safety.