Caregivers of Wandering Dementia Patients Threatened with Legal Liability

Summary

Family caregivers who take on the responsibility of caring for elderly relatives with dementia face severe emotional distress and legal threats when the patient wanders. Despite their best efforts, they can be threatened with elder abuse charges by law enforcement, creating a terrifying dilemma: provide care and risk legal consequences, or abandon the relative and face moral guilt. Current systems offer no protection or clear guidance for caregivers in these situations, leaving them feeling helpless and unfairly punished for trying to help.