Safely Home
People
with dementia sometimes lose the ability to recognize familiar
places,
to communicate, or to remember their own names or addresses. They may
leave
home, become confused and get lost. This can be dangerous for the person
diagnosed with dementia and worrisome for their caregivers. There is help
available.
Safely
Home™ is a nationwide program designed to help find the person who is
lost and
assist in a safe return home. Developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in
partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a registry stores
vital
information confidentially on a police database. The information can be
accessed by police anywhere in Canada and the United States.
How
does Safely Home work?
When
a registrant goes missing…the caregiver calls the local police.
Accessing the
computer database, the police will find pertinent information about the
registrant including personal history, physical characteristics, and
locations
where the person is known to visit. It is important for caregivers to
keep an
up-to-date photo of the registrant on hand.
When
a registrant is found…the police use the identification number from the
person’s ID bracelet to search the computer database. They determine
where the
person lives and who to contact. They ensure that the person is returned
Safely
Home.
How
do I register?
Registration
is voluntary. Simply contact the Alzheimer Society. For a one-time fee
of $35,
the registrant will receive an identification
bracelet and identification cards.
Wearing the bracelet and keeping the cards in places such as wallets
and coat
pockets aid in quickly identifying people should they become lost. The
Alzheimer Society will update the registrants file annually.
The
front of the bracelet reads:
Urgent
See Other Side
The
back of the bracelet shows the ID number
and the person’s first name and
reads:
Memory Loss
Call Police
More
Information:
When
you register, you will also receive a handbook with helpful information
including:
- how to identify people who are at risk of
leaving home and
becoming lost
- how to adapt the environment to
prevent someone from leaving
home and becoming lost
- procedures
to follow should someone go missing
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