Advice for carers of people with dementia at risk of going missing

Here are some things you can do to help stop people with dementia going missing, and help find them if they do.

Fill in a Herbert Protocol form

Family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves, can fill in a Herbert Protocol form in advance. It contains information to help the police if they go missing.

Find out why they want to go out

If you can find out why the person wants to go out, you might be able to meet their needs in other ways.

For example, they might be bored, or think they have to go out to work or to pick children up from school.

Alzheimer's Society advice on walking about

Home and personal technology

You could consider using:

• door sensors that:
  • alert friends or family if an external door has opened, or
  • play a recorded message telling the person to call someone instead of leaving home
• a boundary alarm that alerts friends or family if the person leaves a certain area
• a tracking device in a watch, key ring or pendant which lets friends, family or police see a person's location
• a wearable alarm the person can use if they realise they are lost

Mobile phones

If they have a mobile phone you can:

• add emergency information to their phone which someone who finds them can access from the lock screen (Apple iPhone, Android phones)
• set up tracking to allow family, friends and police to see their location (Apple iPhone, Android phones)

These technologies should be used to help someone stay safe while respecting their privacy.

Alzheimer's Society advice on how technology can help with dementia

Carry contact information

Whether or not they have a mobile phone, they could carry some basic information in their wallet, like who to contact if they're lost and someone finds them.

Alzheimer's Society helpcards