Hundreds sign up to dementia safeguarding scheme in Avon and Somerset
Winter conditions increase risks for people living with dementia who go missing.
More than 700 people have registered with Avon and Somerset Police’s Dementia Safeguarding Scheme since December 2022, bringing the total number safeguarded to nearly 2,500 residents.
The scheme, first launched in 2015, offers tools to safeguard people living with dementia, including Life360 Bluetooth Tracking Tiles, NFC assistance wristbands, and tags. Over 4,000 free assistance devices have been distributed to date.
The initiative incorporates the Herbert Protocol, a nationally recognised system that allows carers and families to share key information in advance to help police respond quickly if a person goes missing.
Research published by the Gerontological Society of America journal, Innovation in Aging, explored the dangers of colder weather for people with dementia who go missing. The study, co-authored by Professor Michael Hornberger, Professor Sol Morrissey, and Inspector Stuart King KPM, found that the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme significantly reduces risks for vulnerable individuals and alleviates pressure on police resources.
“Getting lost or disorientated in the community can have serious consequences for someone living with dementia, especially in the colder, darker months,” Inspector King said.
The scheme has resulted in life-saving interventions, including the case of 91-year-old Michael from South Bristol earlier this year. His carers used the Life360 app linked to his Bluetooth Tracking Tile to locate him sitting in a nearby pub after he went missing, enabling health professionals to step in and bring him home safely.
Michael’s daughter Amanda said:
“The Tile made all the difference in getting him home safely and quickly – we were so lucky he had it on him.”
The Dementia Safeguarding Scheme is available to people in the Avon and Somerset police area living with dementia. Families and carers can register by completing the online Herbert Protocol form, which securely stores information such as:
- Medication details
- Key contact numbers
- Past addresses and places of importance
- Areas where the person has been found previously
- A recent photograph
Inspector King said:
“By registering with the scheme, families can give us vital information we can use straight away if that person is reported missing. The devices and the Herbert Protocol form help us search the right places sooner, reduce delay and, crucially, reduce the risk of harm.
“We know the scheme also brings real peace of mind to families who are doing their best to support loved ones living with dementia.”