After deciding to move her husband of almost six decades to a care home, Bailie Smith’s grandmother hoped for his safety. Unfortunately, shortly after relocating to Preston Special Care Home in Saskatoon, William Cone, affectionately known as Lauri, wandered off on Oct. 11. Cone, who had Alzheimer’s, went unnoticed as he left the facility. It was only after a concerned citizen witnessed him falling and called an ambulance that the family was alerted.
Subsequently, Cone, aged 86, wearing slippers and using a walker, traveled about eight blocks before breaking his hip. Despite undergoing surgery at Royal University Hospital on Oct. 13, his health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing on Oct. 20. The Saskatchewan Health Authority, responsible for operating the care home, has launched a formal investigation to ascertain the events surrounding the incident.
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 temporary care while awaiting a permanent spot. Smith highlighted that during his stay, a kitchen renovation was ongoing, and a door near his room had been carelessly left open, potentially aiding his exit.
Cone, a retired Canada Post employee, actively engaged in his church and various recreational activities, including cheering for the Riders, curling, and playing slow pitch. Smith stressed the family’s call for a thorough inquiry and systemic changes to prevent similar incidents, advocating for mandatory installation of cameras, patient alarms, and secured doors in care facilities. The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can prompt accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future.
