Dementia Safeguarding Tag launches in Argyll and Bute
A Dementia Safeguarding Tag has launched in Argyll and Bute today (Tuesday, 29 November, 2022) to support anyone living with dementia and their families in the area.
Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Police Division have seen an increase in calls from members of the public who have found someone appearing lost, confused or disorientated within their local community.
This can often occur with people who are living with dementia, who will go out for a purpose and whilst out may become confused or disorientated. Local officers attend these incidents and work to establish the person’s identity to ensure they are safe and well. Where required, officers assist them to get home or contact a relative on their behalf.
As part of the scheme, the Dementia Safeguarding Tag has been designed by people with lived experience of dementia through discussions and focus groups, which created the design, wording and name for the device. Launched for the first time in Scotland, Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Police Division have funded the devices and gathered feedback to complete their design.
It operates through Near Field Communication (NFC) which enables two electronic devices to communicate, in this instance, the Dementia Safeguarding Tag and a mobile telephone. Every modern day smart phone has NFC communication within it which can be enabled in your device settings.
Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, Divisional Commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Police Division, said: “Police Scotland are always looking at ways to keep people safe and this becomes even more important when the person is vulnerable which many people living with dementia can be.
“Local officers often come into contact with people living with dementia and we have been delighted at the positive response from the focus groups that we carried out to look at the Dementia Safeguarding Tag.
“Not only did those living with dementia fully support this initiative, but we also found that their families and those who care for them, agreed this would give them peace of mind to know they would contacted sooner if their loved one became disorientated while they were out in their community”.
The scheme comes after Police Scotland launched the Herbert Protocol in 2021, a national initiative to help those living with dementia and their families should they be reported missing.
This is a simple form that is completed by family members when someone is diagnosed as living with dementia. Family keep the completed form and if their relative goes missing in the future, the Herbert Protocol form can be used to help find the person sooner and safer.
If you live with dementia, or have a relative living with dementia, your local Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Advisor can provide you with a fully programmed Dementia Safeguarding Tag.
For those living in Helensburgh, Lomond, Bute and Cowal your local Dementia Advisor is Anne-Marie King from the Helensburgh Dementia Resource Centre. Anne-Marie can be contacted by telephone on 01436 642 196 or 07588531288, or by email aking@alzscot.org.
For those living in Oban, Lorn, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Isles, please contact Gemma McKie on 01631 570 614 or email gmckie@alzscot.org.
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