Can a Florida nursing home be held liable if a resident wanders away or elopes from the facility?

Yes. Florida nursing facilities have a legal duty to evaluate cognitive risk factors and maintain secure environments to prevent wandering and elopement. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 400 (Fla. Stat. § 400.023), when a facility fails to provide adequate supervision, functional door alarms, or secured memory-care units, it can be held legally accountable for resulting fractures, exposure, traffic injuries, or wrongful death. Facilities must enforce comprehensive care plans for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. Jeffrey S. Altman and The Altman Law Firm review security video, door sensor logs, and care plans to pursue justice when resident neglect leads to elopement.