After moving her husband of nearly six decades into Preston Special Care Home in Saskatoon, Bailie Smith’s grandmother hoped he would be safe. However, just 36 hours later, William Cone, affectionately known as Lauri, with Alzheimer’s, wandered out of the facility on Oct. 11 unnoticed. Smith revealed that her grandmother received a call from a concerned citizen who witnessed Cone’s fall and called for an ambulance.
Cone, aged 86, had walked about eight blocks with a walker wearing slippers before falling and breaking his hip. Following surgery at Royal University Hospital on Oct. 13, his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing on Oct. 20. The care home, under the Saskatchewan Health Authority, is undergoing a formal review to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Expressing devastation, Smith mentioned that her grandmother, Elizabeth Cone, who had been caring for her husband alone for years, felt blamed by the care home staff for the incident. Smith emphasized that the tragedy could have been avoided and expressed sadness and frustration over the situation.
Cone was admitted to the facility on Oct. 9 for short-term care while awaiting a permanent spot. Smith mentioned that her grandmother was informed by staff that a nearby door had been propped open during a kitchen renovation, providing an opportunity for Cone to leave undetected. Despite security measures like pin pad-locked exit doors, the door Cone used had been left open without monitoring.
Describing Cone as a retired Canada Post worker and an active church member, Smith highlighted his love for sports and family involvement. The family is now calling for an investigation and systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. They advocate for mandatory installation of cameras, patient alarms, and secure door policies in care facilities to enhance safety.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority expressed condolences to the family and pledged to engage with them to address any care concerns. Smith hopes that by sharing their story, accountability will be ensured, prompting families to inquire about safety measures in care facilities to protect their loved ones.