GORE BAY – A male resident of the Manitoulin Lodge Nursing Home, who had been reported missing from the home, was found safe and sound within the town of Gore Bay earlier this week.
“This is, fortunately, a good news story, thanks to good response from everyone involved,” said Marie Ford, Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) community services officer, on Monday.
The OPP Manitoulin Detachment reported this past Monday that a missing person, a 77-year-old male, was reported as being missing at approximately 10:29 pm on the evening of Sunday, September 8, in Gore Bay. Manitoulin OPP officers responded as did the OPP Emergency Response Team and the OPP Canine Unit. The OPP also used a drone in the search.
Officer Ford noted that the missing man was found at approximately 8:26 am on Monday morning. The man was found at a location on Thorburn Street in Gore Bay.
The OPP also confirmed an OPP helicopter was on the way to the scene until the missing man was found.
Stephanie Barber, community relations coordinator with Jarlette Health Services which owns and operates the Manitoulin Lodge Nursing Home, wrote in an email to the Recorder on Tuesday, “on the evening of Sunday, September 8, a male resident of Manitoulin Lodge Long Term Care Home left the premises unaccompanied. He was located safely by local law enforcement in the early hours of Monday, September 9, in good spirits. After a successful health assessment by his physician, he has returned to the home.”
“Upon reporting him absent from the home, the trained staff of Manitoulin Lodge were able to act swiftly and in accordance with all safety protocols to ensure family members, local law enforcement and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care were notified and kept abreast of the situation,” continued Ms. Barber. “We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of the Manitoulin Lodge team, the local police and search and rescue unit and a host of outstanding volunteers who came together to locate this resident. The safety, comfort and well-being of all of our residents and staff members is, and will continue to be, our top priority at Manitoulin Lodge.”
