Do you care for someone who has dementia and worried that they might go missing?
You can help keep them safe and sound by recording vital information about them.
Bolton Council is supporting a new national scheme, ‘The Herbert Protocol’ which can help.
The idea is that beforehand you complete a form recording all the information about the person who might go missing. This can include places they like to go, medication, their general routine, description, and a recent photograph.
Should they go missing the form can be quickly given to the police to reduce the time taken to gather this information, and remove some of the stress.
“There is nothing more frightening or distressing than when a loved one, friend, or neighbour fails to return when they should,” said Councillor Debbie Newall, Executive Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Health.
“By preparing beforehand, families and carers have one less thing to worry about should someone go missing.
“Improving the lives of people living with dementia is a priority for the council and following a successful pilot in Horwich, we have launched the Bolton Dementia Alliance to bring local organisations, groups, and businesses together. Each organisation has an action plan of how they aim to improve the lives of people living with dementia.
“In Bolton the number of people aged 65 and over with dementia is expected to grow from 3,187 in 2017 to 4,625 in 2030. By working with other agencies our aims is to make Bolton and Greater Manchester the best place to live in the world for people with dementia, and their carers, by 2020.”
To download the form and find out more go to www.gmp.police.uk/Herbert