What should you do if you are unable to locate an individual who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia?
Time is of the essence -Those who wander are often found within a half mile of home or the starting location.
Look in the house – especially in areas like closets – and the yard – crawl space-sheds-campers-attics
Try to think of clues to where that person may have gone. Neighbors, friends, local senior gathering centers.
Here are the steps to take if you can’t find someone after 15 minutes:
Call 911 and fill out a missing person’s report.
Make sure law officers know that the missing person has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia and is a vulnerable adult.
Law enforcement does not require a 24-hour waiting period to look for a missing individual.
Have handy an updated photo and current medications list.
Be prepared to share information about where and when the individual was last seen, what he or she was wearing when last seen, and if the individual likes to be called by a preferred name or nickname.
These are time sensitive incidents.
Chief George Filenko