Elopement usually conjures up visions of secret excursions or maybe even the Elvis Chapel in Las Vegas. But elopement is also used to describe what happens when someone with dementia or cognitive loss leaves a safe area, such as a home or care facility, without supervision or awareness of the potential dangers.  In dementia care facilities, it is a heartbreaking reality that needs urgent attention.

With over 30 years of experience as an occupational-therapist-turned-dementia-coach and 5 years of being a daughter-of-dementia, our guest, Lizette Cloete  OTR/L, CADDCT, CDP, shares her first-hand, personal experience with elopement, how it can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death as a result of hypothermia, malnutrition, and weight loss, and why there is a huge need to protect vulnerable residents living in long term facilities.  Lizette is the owner of “Think Different” Dementia, helping families navigate dementia together, using science-backed strategies, has become a sought-after speaker on dementia-related topics, both nationally and internationally. Her podcast, Christian Dementia Caregiving, is a key resource for connecting and sharing her valuable insights.

In 2023, Lizette was awarded a grant to create an online Education and Coaching community for family care partners. She is truly a fount of information and support for our Caregiving community.  We recount personal stories, including a tragic incident from 1994, highlighting the dire consequences of inadequate staffing and training in these facilities. By sharing these narratives, we Stress the critical need for improvements in care and safety measures to protect vulnerable individuals. The broader implications of facility understaffing reveal a pressing need for vigilance and proactive strategies to prevent similar tragedies.

Understanding and managing dementia-related wandering is a complex challenge for caregivers and families. From unpredictable behaviors to ethical dilemmas around monitoring Technology, we discuss real-life anecdotes that underscore the relentless nature of wandering. With hopes pinned on proactive engagement and innovative solutions, we aim to inspire meaningful change in caregiving practices, ensuring the safety and well-being of loved ones.

Connect with Lizette: Think Different Dementia
Christian Dementia Caregiving

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Susie Singer Carter is a multi-award-winning writer, director, producer, actor, podcast producer, and host. A versatile filmmaker, Susie is best known for writing, directing, and producing the 2018 Oscar Qualified short film, MY MOM AND THE GIRL starring Valerie, writing and producing BRATZ THE MOVIE for Lionsgate, and co-producing SOUL SURFER for Sony. During a 3-script blind deal at Fox TV, Susie wrote, produced, and directed SURVIVING HAWKING, an adult animated pilot starring Brian Cranston and Adam Brody.

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Currently, Susie is producing the docu-series, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE, critically needed documentary inspired award-winning filmmaker, Susie Singer Carter's (Oscar Qualified “My Mom and The Girl” starring Valerie Harper, Soul Surfer) experience tackling the front lines of our broken Long Term Care/Nursing Home System while caring for her beloved mother who, despite best efforts, died July 17, 2022 from what was inarguably egregious nursing home neglect and abuse.

Susie really understands the power of storytelling. This film promises to pack a much-needed gut punch that will force the public to look at our health-care system that is literally collapsing around us. Susie has partnered with former US Prosecutor and Attorney General, Rick Mountcastle (portrayed in the Hulu miniseries, “DOPESICK”), who spent years investigating and prosecuting nursing homes chains for fraud. She has attracted an impressive list of the most respected and staunch advocates to contribute to the film. She and her partners are currently raising the remainder of the budget to finish the project. They are fiscally sponsored by The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care which provides them a 501(c)(3) status. Tax-deductible donations can be made here: http://act.theconsumervoice.org/documentary

Susie is a sought-after speaker and has appeared in many Alzheimer’s awareness campaigns for Alzheimer’s Los Angeles. She proudly emceed the 2022 San Fernando Valley Alzheimer's Walk and hosts the WGA’s 3rd & Fairfax Podcast.