Why was woman with dementia walking alone?

Why was woman with dementia walking alone?

Topic Author: Jerri

Posted: 4:01 PM Apr 6, 2009

Replies Posted: 20 comments

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I would like to know why no one questions why a 70 year-old lady with dementia is doing taking a walk where she was without another person being with her? My opinion is something seems odd about all of this.

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Posted by: Anonymous Somethings fishy with this whole situation...

Posted by: ashley Location: wausau
After working in a nursing home for several years...and working with dementia i have learned the many ups and downs to this horrible disease. First of all whos to say the husband knew that she got into the woods? On many occasions demented people do wander...its nobodys fault. This is not the first time something like this has happened. The woman did not know she shouldnt do this

Posted by: ed Location: weston
sera back off you dont know the man i bet him and his wife were happy!

Posted by: wausau Location: weston
it would be a cold day in hell that i would be stop from going to a cry 4 help. police or not no way would you stop me !!!police dot own me!!wish i could of been there to help !!i would of died trying to vind a lost voice

Posted by: Sara If her husband truly cared, he would have found a way into those woods. I would. There are always loopholes. No way the police could kept someone from entering. But look at this at another point of view. Wonderful Anonymous stated that this was fishy. It is. Many people that live with older family members that cannot take care of themselves feel burdened, taken advantage of, even that it is a waste of time. We have all heard reports of people like this disposing of the burden. Is it possible that her husband felt that she needed to go? And helped her along? And conveniently not gone to her aide? It is a plausible thought. I'm not saying that he did, but I'm not saying he didn't.

Posted by: Pat Location: Wausau
It is all reported except the bar thing I have never heard anything like that, that was something that the other anonymous said... about not letting them go into the woods it is all documented if you can lookup the whole story and you will see everybody's take. It says straight from the deputy's mouth that they had orders to not let anyone in the woods. I agree that is is very fishy and should really be dealt with with by higher authorities. I also agree with not letting anyone stop me from going in, but we have no idea what was really happening or what kind penalties there were. Just tell me how hundreds of people think it was handled wrong, and some people don't seem to understand it at all.

Posted by: Wonderful Anonymous Was the husband and the neighbors threatened with arrest if they went in? I did not hear that reported anymore than I did that the husband was in the bar??? Note: No one would have stopped me from saving my beloved husband if I wanted to save him. NO ONE!! The whole incident is FISHY! Pat where did you get this information if it wasn't reported... hearsay?

Posted by: Pat Location: Wausau
You have got to be kidding, really now we are going to slander this poor man and his family. Please get off your high horse grow up and realize that you should not listen to hear say. Don't you teach your children that maybe you should follow it as well. And besides why would a whole town including the surrounding towns people sign a letter to get rid of the sherriff if he did nothing wrong? And another thing this has nothing to do with the economy and how much it cost. Lots of those people volunteer and get help from the govt with grants just like people get help with loans for school. Or should that all be abolished to. One more thing to to the wonderful Anonymous: the husband wasn't allowed in the woods to go after his wife just like the neighbors were not allowed either. Maybe you should all check out the links to the story and get all the info before you come on here trying to be smart or just down right cruel.

Posted by: anonymus * Why didn't the husgband go with her? I heard he was in a bar drinking. Now lets blame the Sheriff

Posted by: Anonymous We are a society of blame and gain and there is plenty to go around here; however, no one is more to blame then the other and money should not be paid out. It's an unfortunate situation and there isn't always a happy ending. It is what it is and everyone should learn that if you have an individual in your family that has dementia or some other special needs you should treat them differently and monitor them more closely to avoid this situation. Personal responsibility. I am confused, Anonymous2 mentions she was screaming…why didn’t the husband go get her? I would have walked to the screaming and rescued my family member, why didn’t he?? Angela, where do you think the money comes from to pay the police, it doesn't grow on trees. We are in a recession and people and business are not making money; therefore, no tax dollars which results in budget cuts. Basic economics.

Posted by: Angela Location: Mosinee
Thank you so much Anonymous 2 you hit it right on the head. But I still have a question for anonymous: on how you think this is an economic problem?

Posted by: Anonymous 2 I can not even believe what some people have the gall to write. Since when do you or anyone get to decide when a person should live or die. Don't get me wrong I would never want anyone to suffer but how do you know she died peacefully in the woods. People could hear her screaming and she froze to death in the woods alone for god sakes. Even if you want to say the husband is negligent (which I completly disagree with) that would be a bad situation and the police and local fire departments would be called in to help. The Police should still get some of the bad rap for not intervening fast enough and also not using there available resources in a timely fashion. This was a bad situation that got worse with no proper police intervention. Also I thank god that none of my family nor friends live close to anywhere with such a poor police mentality. And if the family and friends of this poor woman are reading this my prayers go out to all of you.

Posted by: Anonymous Sad truth, the USA is in economical turmoil. With businesses failing and American not working, they are not paying taxes. Without taxes our federal, state and local governments don’t have the money to pay for services. As Americans we have to take responsibility for our actions and not burden the system unnecessarily. A husband that risks his beloved wife’s life based on the fact she has good days, none the less has risked her life. He is NOT a victim of the system; however, has victimized the system. It is a parent’s responsibility to look after their children and persons with dementia are basically children. If people don’t take the time to protect their loved ones (young or old) why does is become a public responsibility. Another sad truth, her death most likely is a blessing, as dementia is a cruel ending to one’s life. Ask anyone who has had to watch this process of deterioration; it is awful and she is in a better place.

Posted by: Tracy Dietrich Location: La Jolla, California
Unfortunately, her husband is not negligent at all; when someone has dementia they have good days and bad days but regardless, why was she not treated the similarly as everyone else would be- a 70-year-old with dementia should still automatically have the emergency crews dispatched. Treating someone differently is called discrimination- something this country has strived for decades to rid itself of! I find this disgraceful.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Wausau
Unfortunately the negligent act of the husband to not accompany his wife in the woods, knowing she got disoriented easily, was what started this entire fiasco and he should get the majority of the blame. Yes, she may have done this many times before, but it was an accident waiting to happen. He contributed to her death and shouldn't be compensated for it. Let's show some compassion for the police who were put in a bad situation.

Posted by: mo Why are we asking the question of why she was walking alone when in all honesty she did it all the time. If any of you have family with dementia or even just elderly family you should know there is only so much you controll. She had walked those woods for many years. Instead of trying to blame the victim and her husband how about you show a little compassion. Of all the rediculous nonsense....Maybe you could blame the neighbors for listening to police not to go into the woods or blame her dogs for not running out to get help. Well I think that you should really reevaluate the facts. This was an emergency situation that was fumbled real bad. So next time you want to blame maybe you should think of someone in your family that it could happen to and show the compassion that is needed or just keep your mouth shut and say nothing at all.

Posted by: jeff Location: Antigo
I agree with joe. Her husband should have been with her. He should never let her walk in the woods alone.

Posted by: joe schoenecker Location: arbor vitea
her husband schould have walked with her