When Bailie Smith’s grandmother decided to relocate her husband of nearly six decades to a care facility, she anticipated that he would be secure. However, just 36 hours after moving into Preston Special Care Home in Saskatoon, William Cone, affectionately known as Lauri, wandered out unnoticed on Oct. 11, suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Smith recounted receiving a call around 10:30 a.m. CST, where a concerned citizen informed her grandmother that they had witnessed Cone falling and had called for an ambulance. Surprisingly, the care home staff were unaware of his departure until notified by his grandmother.
The 86-year-old Cone, wearing slippers and using a walker, managed to travel about eight blocks before falling and fracturing his hip. Following surgery at Royal University Hospital on Oct. 13, his health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing on Oct. 20.
Operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the care home is undergoing a formal review to ascertain the circumstances that led to Cone’s departure. Smith expressed her grandmother’s devastation, emphasizing that the tragedy could have been averted.
Cone had been admitted to the facility on Oct. 9 for short-term care while awaiting a permanent placement. Smith revealed that staff later informed her grandmother about ongoing kitchen renovations, which left a door near Cone’s room propped open.
Although all exit doors were equipped with security-coded pin pads, the door Cone exited through had been carelessly left ajar without monitoring by staff, security cameras, or alarms, according to Smith.
Describing Cone as a retired Canada Post employee, an active church member, and often lucid, Smith shared his enthusiasm for activities such as cheering for the Riders, curling, and playing slow pitch. He was deeply involved in his grandchildren’s lives, attending their events without fail.
The family is calling for a thorough investigation and systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. They advocate for mandatory installation of cameras, patient alarms, and secure door systems in care facilities to enhance safety measures.
Despite encountering resistance from the care home and considering legal action, Smith’s family remains determined to seek accountability and advocate for improved safety protocols. The Saskatchewan Health Authority expressed condolences to the family, offering to address any care-related concerns and implement corrective measures following the review.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family hopes that raising awareness will prompt accountability and prevent similar incidents from occurring, urging others to demand better protections for their loved ones in care facilities.
