NCJ Number
201626
Date Published
1998
Length
300 pages
Annotation
This manual was developed by the Alzheimer’s Association to help Alzheimer’s chapters fully understand the Safe Return Program and its benefits, to provide specific training information for a variety of audiences, and to highlight how to make Safe Return work for the chapter.
Abstract
Safe Return was developed by the Alzheimer’s Association and is a critical program that provides a safety net for memory-impaired adults who wander and become lost. It increases awareness of the disease and provides visibility for chapters because it is a tangible product, something the public can see and understand. The program helps draw attention to other programs and services offered by Alzheimer’s Association chapters and helps build relationships with community members and funding sources. This manual is organized into nine sections. Section 1 is an introduction to the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program and describes the behavior of wandering, one of the most common and potentially life-threatening behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. Section 2 describes how the program works and services provided by program. Some of these services include identification products, national information/photo database, 24-hour toll-free crisis line, fax alert notification system, local chapter support, the registration process, special communication services, and how Safe Return responds. This section also provides a list of resources. Section 3 provides information on important questions for the chapter to consider and address when creating the first chapter plan for Safe Return or re-evaluating an existing plan. Section 4 describes how Safe Return can serve registrants and how the program can be integrated at many levels and into all chapter initiatives. As a national program, Safe Return can offer assistance at the local, State, and national level. Section 5 describes how the Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program responds to incidents. A computerized system of registrant and contact information is used to assist in the safe and timely return of missing and discovered memory-impaired adults. Section 6 describes the benefits of promoting Safe Return through partnerships. These benefits include increased Safe Return registrations, training opportunities, and greater chapter visibility in the community. Partnerships should be considered with law enforcement and emergency providers, professional care providers, community service providers, businesses and corporations, media, and other chapters. Section 7 provides a list of national organization and resources. Section 8 includes training books for emergency medial response personnel, transit operators, and law enforcement officials. The books provide information to officials about the disease, about the problem of wandering behavior, and the Safe Return program. Section 9 is reserved as a space for chapters to add their own information. Also included with the manual are samples of identification products available through the Safe Return program.