An elderly couple who ran away from their care home due to their dissatisfaction has been found after a search operation was launched. Colin, 89, and Claudette Geraghty, 83, escaped from Ryman Nellie Melba Retirement Village in south-east Melbourne on Saturday morning. They were spotted at the Glenn Shopping Centre where they purchased their medication before driving off in their white 2015 Mazda 2 around midday.
Concern arose when their neighbor, Sharon Jeikishore, couldn’t reach them in the afternoon, prompting their daughter, Linda McKelvie, to raise alarms. Colin has Alzheimer’s, and Claudette lives with vascular dementia and experiences seizures.
After being missing for approximately 32 hours, the couple was discovered in Maryborough, northwest of Melbourne, on Sunday night. Linda expressed that her parents seemed unhappy at the care home, especially since their recent move there the previous Tuesday.
Prior to their escape, authorities were notified of a previous attempt by the couple to leave the care facility. Linda explained, “I think because they were recently in respite care, it was such a change for them. They didn’t really like being in care and I think they just wanted to be home together. Dad thinks he can help her… they feel like all their choices are being taken away.”
Colin and Claudette, who have been married for 65 years since meeting on a dancefloor, received messages from Colin on the day they fled. Despite his reassurance to look after Claudette, Linda pleaded for their return to the care home, expressing the family’s deep concern for their safety.
