A NSW Coroner has found there were lapses in care of a resident living with dementia at an aged care facility in Moree, 625km north of Sydney, when he disappeared on 5 January 2018.
Resident William Torrens’ body was found more than a year later on the banks of the Mehi River, near the aged care home, Fairview Retirement Village.
New South Wales Deputy Coroner Harriet Grahame said staff had missed opportunities to “understand the complete picture” of the resident.
Mr Torrens moved into Fairview Retirement Village in August 2017. The Coroner found he had left the facility unannounced twice prior to the disappearance, in September and then again in October 2017.
No staff saw him leave the facility on the day he disappeared in January 2018, and staff were not informed of his dementia diagnosis until after he went missing.
The Coroner said it was not possible to determine how Mr Torrens died, but noted that the river was higher than usual and flowing quickly at the time he went missing.
Fairview Retirement Village is now owned by Not For Profit provider Whiddon.
The Coroner made no recommendations.
The SOURCE: This case highlights the difficulties that aged care homes face in keeping residents safe, particularly those living with dementia.
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