HOME & COMMUNITYPolicy No.: PM-3-210

SUPPORT SERVICESRevised: May 2016

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SECTION: PROGRAM MANUAL

TOPIC: DAY AWAY PROGRAM

POLICY TITLE: WANDERING CLIENT

POLICY STATEMENT:

Staff and volunteers will maintain visual supervision of all clients who are assessed to be at risk of wandering from the program area. In event that a client does wander, all efforts outlined in the following procedure will be undertaken to locate the client.

PROCEDURE:

  1. The Family and Client Care Coordinator will assess the risk for wandering as clients are admitted to the Day Away Program. When applicable this will be noted on the Form DA-15 Daily Program Schedule. The Kardex must be prepared with a photo within 2 weeks of admission to the Program. (Policy PM 3-140 –Documentation of Client Information – Ongoing. In the event a client cannot be found the Team Leader (or designate) will be notified that a client is missing.
  1. The Team Leader (or designate) will assign several areas "*" to each staff/volunteer all of whom should report back to the Team Leader as soon as their search is completed. Ideally the staff/volunteer should have a cell phone for communication purposes.
  1. The Team Leader will ensure that the staff of the facility in which the program is located are informed that a client is missing and that a search is underway.
  1. If staffing allows, staff will be sent in a car to search the surrounding neighbourhood. This staff member should have a cell phone for communication purposes. The search will focus on the path to the client’s current or past home and areas of danger such as a busy highway or water.
  1. Staff/volunteers remaining with clients must remain calm, not alarming or disrupting to the atmosphere of the program.
  1. Program activities may need to become flexible and centred in one area as staff/volunteers leave to complete the search.
  1. The Police will be notified by the Team Leader or designate within 20 to 30 minutes.
  1. The caregiver/family are to be notified by the Family and Client Care Coordinator as soon as the police are called.
  1. The staff of the facility will be notified if the police are called. HCSS staff will rely on the Police to assume coordination of the search and will fully cooperate and assist as assigned.
  1. The Programs Director will be notified at the earliest opportune time.
  1. Upon resolution, an Incident Report will be completed by staff. A copy will be sent to the Programs Director and Executive Director, and a copy will be placed on the client's file. (see ADM-6-50 Incident Report).

"*" (The Team Leader (or designate) will assign several areas "*" to each staff / volunteer all of whom should report back to the Team Leader as soon as their search is completed.)

LEE MANOR / DR. EARL CENTRE
1. outside of building including courtyard
2. ground floor (west wing)
3. 2nd floor South and East stairways
4. 3rd floor elevators and west stairs
5. West and North wing of the ground floor / 1. inside of building, including the front
2. around the building
3. North and South on Goderich Street
4.West towards the water
HANOVER HOSPITAL / GREY GABLES
1. outside of building (front & back parking lots) / 1. inside of building
2. ground floor / 2. south on highway, businesses across street
3. 7th Ave north & south / 3. north around building, fields to west
4. fields towards the river (west)
GATEWAY HAVEN / MEAFORD HOSPITAL
1. inside of building / 1. Inside the building
2. north across Frank St. , and houses on north and south side of Frank St. / 2. Around the building
3. North and South on Noble St
3. houses to east and west of Gateway Haven / 4. East and West on Nelson St.

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