Florida Injury Prevention Programs for Seniors (FLIPS) Safer Communities for Persons with Dementia Safe Return Registration prepared by Meredeth Rowe, RN, PhD Univerity of Florida College of Nursing/Institute on Aging

Safe Return program

Description – Safe Return program administered by national Alzheimer’s Association similar to ‘medic alert’ 24- hour ‘800’ operators to provide assistance in facilitating return to caregivers 3 phases – registration – missing report – discovery

registration caregivers should register anyone with dementia – not just for wanderers – whether living at home or institutional setting registration form for Alzheimer’s Association – local chapter – national office ; need – registration form – current photograph of person with dementia – wrist size (for bracelet) – phone and fax numbers for local law enforcement agency – $40 scholarships are available for anyone in financial need

Missing report in the event a registered person is missing – call 800 help number – operators will fax picture and report to local law enforcement

Discovery if you find someone with Safe Return bracelet – call Safe Return – Safe Return will attempt to contact caregiver – arrangements will be made for safe return call 911 – report you found an individual that seems to have dementia remain with the individual – individual will not follow instructions – critical to keep them safe – deaths have occurred when good samaritan has left after calling 911

Identification tags bracelet and clothing labels – first name and 800 number of reverse side “My name is John and I have a memory problem.”

Caregiver jewelry identifies an individual as a dementia caregiver if caregiver is in accident – jewelry will alert health care /law enforcement personnel to ensure dementia person safe