The disappearance of a Winnipeg senior, Earl Moberg, who was last seen in the River East area on Dec. 12, 2023, has been classified as a critical incident by the city’s regional health authority.
Despite extensive searches in northwest Winnipeg over the past six months, Moberg remains missing, and his daughter Britt believes he is no longer alive.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) has initiated a critical incident review into Mr. Moberg’s case to assess if there were any shortcomings in the healthcare system that could have been addressed to prevent his disappearance.
Moberg was diagnosed with dementia in 2019, and his condition had worsened significantly by the time he went missing. His family had been struggling to access necessary resources and long-term care services, which they believe could have prevented his disappearance if provided in a timely manner.
Britt emphasized the importance of having an occupational therapist and a home safety assessment to develop a safety plan for Moberg. The family had also requested respite care to support his mother and prevent caregiver burnout, but their requests were not adequately fulfilled.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the WRHA contacted the family the day after Moberg went missing to inform them that he could finally be considered for long-term care. This delay in providing essential care services has raised concerns about the healthcare system’s ability to meet the needs of individuals living with dementia.
The Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba CEO, Erin Crawford, echoed the family’s sentiments, highlighting the challenges faced by families supporting loved ones with dementia. With a growing number of Manitobans living with dementia, there is a pressing need for improved resources and support services to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Britt Moberg is advocating for changes in how silver alerts are issued in Manitoba, suggesting targeted alerts on mobile devices to specific geographic areas where vulnerable adults are likely to go missing.
As the search for Earl Moberg continues, his family remains hopeful that he will be found. They urge the public to stay vigilant and report any relevant information to the Winnipeg police to help bring closure to this distressing situation.