An elderly couple from Wheelers Hill, reported missing after leaving their nursing home, were located safe and well in Maryborough on Sunday evening. Victoria Police confirmed the pair, identified as 89-year-old Colin and 83-year-old Claudette, were found approximately 170 kilometres from Melbourne, ending a search that spanned more than 24 hours.
Timeline of the search and recovery
The couple checked themselves out of their nursing home near Ferntree Gully Road on Saturday morning, according to Victoria Police acting inspector Luke McDonald. After leaving the facility, the pair visited The Glen and Brandon Park shopping centres, where they filled prescriptions and had coffee. CCTV footage from The Glen captured Colin pushing Claudette in a wheelchair during their visit.
The last confirmed sighting of the couple occurred at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, when their 2015 Mazda2 (registration 1ER8FK) was spotted traveling west on the Monash Freeway. Family members grew concerned after a neighbor, Sharon Jeikishor, visited the couple’s Glen Waverley home and found it dark and unresponsive. Following the search, police confirmed they were located in the Maryborough area in the Central Goldfields, 58 kilometres north of Ballarat, just before 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Did You Know? The couple has been together for 65 years, having first met at a dance where Colin asked Claudette for a spin around the dance floor.
Context of the couple’s departure
Daughter Linda McKelvie stated that her parents had been recently placed in respite care and were unhappy with the arrangement. “They didn’t really like being in care,” McKelvie told reporters on Sunday. “They just want to be together and be at home.” She noted that the couple had unsuccessfully attempted to leave the facility earlier in the week.
Claudette is recovering from multiple fractures and relies on a wheelchair, in addition to managing high blood pressure and a condition that causes temporary loss of consciousness. She was also recently diagnosed with vascular dementia. Colin, while described as relatively fit, was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and experiences short-term memory loss and disorientation.
Next steps for the family
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the couple found?
Victoria Police found Colin and Claudette in the Maryborough area, which is 58 kilometres north of Ballarat and 170 kilometres from Melbourne.
What were the health concerns regarding the couple?
Claudette, 83, has vascular dementia, uses a wheelchair due to recent falls, and requires medication for blood pressure and a condition causing periodic unconsciousness. Colin, 89, has Alzheimer’s disease and experiences short-term memory loss.
Why did the couple leave the nursing home?
According to their daughter, Linda McKelvie, the couple had been recently placed in respite care and were unhappy with the facility, expressing a desire to be together and at home.
How should care facilities balance the safety of residents with their expressed desire for independence?
