Imagine if someone you love goes missing — the worry can be agonizing. When the person has dementia, it takes it up a notch. And with over half a million Canadians having dementia, more and better care is needed now.
That’s why MedicAlert Foundation Canada partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Canada to help people living with dementia who are at risk of getting lost. The program is a service specially designed for people with dementia.
The foundation’s 24/7 emergency hotline number is engraved on the back of a bracelet the user wears. When called, emergency hotline specialists supply police and emergency responders with the person’s photo, physical description, emergency contacts and critical health information. They may also notify caregivers or family to let them know the situation and location of the person.
According to the Alzheimer Society, Good Samaritans are often the ones who find the person with dementia and call. Family is contacted directly to help return the person home safely. Often there is no need to involve police.
Find more information online at www.alzheimer.ca/medicalertsafelyhome.
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