Being Prepared
Caring for a loved one with dementia comes with unique challenges, including the risk of them becoming lost or disoriented, particularly during everyday activities. Walking is a natural behaviour, but due to memory and spatial difficulties, it can lead to unsafe situations. Being prepared is essential, not only for their safety but also for your peace of mind and the well-being of everyone involved. Using tools like the Herbert Protocol can help ensure a quicker and more effective response if your loved one goes missing.
Who’s at risk of going missing?
Walking with purpose can affect anyone with dementia, regardless of their stage or type. Those with Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia or Lewy body dementia, in particular, may feel an urge to move about or leave their home, often driven by an unmet need or confusion.
It’s most common when a person feels restless, is searching for someone or something or doesn’t recognise their environment. Understanding this behaviour is necessary as this can happen at any time and, often, without warning.
What to do if someone with dementia goes missing?
The moments immediately after discovering a loved one is missing are critical. Firstly, stay calm and check their places of importance, locations they frequently visit or that hold significant memories. If they’re not quickly found, call 999 and report them as missing. Inform the operator that the person who is missing has dementia and that you have a completed Herbert Protocol form stored with MedicAlert or to hand.
Provide them with a detailed description, including clothing and any information that might indicate where they might go. It’s also helpful to inform the police of any previous missing incidents and outcomes.
At what stage of dementia do challenges with memory and spatial navigation occur?
Walking with purpose can occur at any stage of dementia but is more frequent as the condition progresses. In the earlier stages, a person living with dementia might go missing due to confusion or a misplaced purpose, like thinking they need to go to work. In the middle to late stages, the urge to walk and go out may be driven by increased confusion, fear or a need to fulfil basic needs like hunger.
Some may also experience a need to find a place, a person or an object that means something to them. This could be a memory attached to their childhood home, or even where they may have taken holidays with families. It can be difficult to pinpoint what triggers this reaction in people living with dementia as each person will have their own memories as reference.
Reducing the risk
Minimising the risk of your loved one going missing involves creating a supportive environment that meets the person’s needs. This can include regular exercise to reduce restlessness, establishing a routine, ensuring basic needs such as hunger, hygiene and socialising are met and using locks and alarms for security.
Identification items like MedicAlert IDs can also be helpful. Most importantly, a current Herbert Protocol form should be in place as part of your readiness plan, providing immediate, key information to authorities in the event of an emergency.
The McLay Dementia Trust are offering people living with dementia a complimentary MedicAlert ID and their first years membership completely free. This added layer of protection, gives peace of mind to carers, knowing that all the relevant medical information is accessible to first responders in an emergency. To find out more about this offer by The McLay Dementia Trust, visit the MedicAlert website.
Empowering Dementia Carers
Dementia Carers Count believes that no dementia carer should feel overwhelmed or alone. It’s team of friendly experts provide free and confidential support to dementia carers.
It’s Carer Support Line 0800 652 1102 is open Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm.
The team are on hand to answer carers’ questions and to offer support with whatever challenges a carer may be facing from money worries, to accessing assessments and social care support, to coping with changes to relationships. The charity can provide free counselling sessions as well as help with paperwork. It’s online peer support groups offer carers opportunities to connect with others and share their experiences.
To find out more and to access the charity’s online resources, visit their website below.
What is the missing person protocol for dementia patients?
The Missing Person Protocol for dementia patients involves a systematic approach once a person is reported missing. This includes activating the Herbert Protocol, a pre-filled form with essential information that aids police and search teams. The protocol provides responders with a quick-start guide to the search, including appearance, known routines, medical needs, and favourite or memorable places that the person may visit. It’s a collaborative effort between caregivers, the police, MedicAlert and the community to ensure the swift and safe return of the missing person.
By understanding these aspects of dementia care, implementing strategies to reduce risks, and utilising resources like the Herbert Protocol, carers can create a safer environment for their loved ones and respond effectively if an incident occurs.
How to prepare your home
Creating a safe home environment can significantly reduce the risk of your loved one going missing. Preparing your home in this way not only helps reduce them chance of them leaving unexpectedly but also allows your loved one with dementia to live more comfortably and with a sense of independence. Coupled with the Herbert Protocol, these measures ensure you have the right tools and environment to manage the risks.
Strategic Locks
Install deadbolts either high or low on exterior doors out of direct line of sight. Always ensure someone is supervising and never lock a person living with dementia inside alone.
Night Lights
Illuminate the home with night lights to prevent disorientation during night time.
Door Camouflage
Make doors less noticeable by using covers that match the wall colour or by painting the doors to blend in with the walls.
Visual Cues
A two-foot black tape or painted threshold in front of doors may serve as a visual barrier to deter leaving.
Alert Systems
Install bells or alarms that signal when doors are opened, or use pressure-sensitive mats that alert to movement.
Secure Outdoor Areas
Enclose outdoor spaces with fencing or hedges to safely contain common areas.
Safety Gates
Use gates or barriers to block access to potentially dangerous areas like stairs.
Reduce Noise
Maintain a calm environment by managing noise levels to avoid overstimulation.
Safe Exploration Zones
Designate safe areas within the home and garden where your loved one can explore without risk.
Clear Signage
Label doors with simple signs to indicate the purpose of each room, aiding orientation.
Hidden Triggers
Store out of sight items like coats, shoes, keys, and wallets that might prompt the desire to go outside.
Never Alone in the Car
Avoid leaving your loved one alone in a vehicle, as they may try to drive or exit into an unsafe situation.
Complete a Herbert Protocol Form
Create a profile with MedicAlert and complete the Herbert Protocol form within. You can manage and update it at anytime with ease.
