Pensioner who went missing from care home is found safe and well
A PENSIONER who went missing from a Plymouth care home over the weekend has been found in St Austell.
Sigrid Harris had been last seen at a care home in Efford on Friday evening — but police were concerned for her welfare on Saturday and Sunday.
However officers said she was located in the Cornwall town at about 6.15pm on Sunday and returned to the care home.
Police had said they had ‘serious concerns’ for the 70-year-old’s welfare as she is dependant on medicines and, as far as they were aware, had no access to her medication.
Police said that officers conducted ‘extensive inquiries’ with neighbours of the care home over the weekend. They also searched the Efford area.
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by Heather, Plymouth
Monday, July 19 2010, 11:52AM
“There is a difference between a residential care home, and a nursing home. A residential home residents are allowed to go out of the premises on their own if they are capable of doing so. Nursing homes the clients aren't so able. Depending on the criteria of the home, it is not necessary to have a secure door system in place, to keep the residents in the home. It is afterall their home, and they are free to come and go as they please providing it is safe for them to do so.
You can have a fully staffed home and still find residents taking themselves off out of the building without members of staff being aware, especially if the staff are busy with other residents. So to say that it was bound to happen doesn't necessarily have to be the case.
I'm glad that she has been found safe and sound and hope she enjoyed her adventure.”
by lisa, plymouth
Monday, July 19 2010, 6:44AM
“it is not a secure home, understaffed this was bound to happen.”
by C, Plymouth
Monday, July 19 2010, 12:19AM
“Mybe she wants to go home to Germany, bless her”
by Mick, Barbican
Sunday, July 18 2010, 4:41PM
“'Care' homes can't be very caring if they allow people to wander out.”
by Heather, plymouth
Sunday, July 18 2010, 11:17AM
“I hope they do find her, or have found her. If that's all she was wearing chances are the poor love could be lying someplace suffering from hyperthermia, considering the rain we have had lately. Let's all pray they find her safe and sound.”