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Alzheimer's Association
“THE SAFE RETURN” PROGRAM
The "Safe Return" Program is a nationwide identification, support, and registration program working at the community level. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whenever a person is lost or found. It was created by the Alzheimer's Association in order to assist in the safe and timely return of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia who wander and become lost.
The statistics tell us why this program is so important. Persons with Alzheimer’s disease may become confused and disoriented in their own neighborhoods or even in familiar surroundings. If the person wanders and gets lost, they are at risk from weather, traffic and other dangers, and may not be able to ask for help or remember the way home. Some persons with memory loss have been found far from home, while others have died from exposure only a short distance from their doorsteps. All individuals with a diagnosis of dementia, and who are ambulatory, are at risk; including those who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and independent settings.
HOW “THE SAFE RETURN” WORKS
· If the registrant becomes lost, the family or facility reports the registrant missing.
· The Safe Return associate will fax local law enforcement and media the missing person’s photo and ID inforrmation.
· The individual finding the registrant can call a 24-hour toll free number, found on the registrant’s identification item (bracelet, necklace, etc.).
· The local Alzheimer Association chapter provides family phone support while the search is in progress.
WHAT DOES THE REGISTRATION SITE DO?
As an official registration site, we provide assistance in enrolling individuals in the program. This includes:
- explaining the program benefits
- helping the caregiver complete the registration form
- verifying information
- taking registrant’s picture
- forwarding the applications for processing
WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ENROLL?
To register, the individual must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementia. The caregiver fills out a simple form (which we provide or can be downloaded from the website), supplies a photograph (or we take one) and chooses the type of identification product that the registrant will wear and/or carry. Registration requires a one-time fee of $40. If the caregiver cannot afford the $40, the Alzheimer’s Association will cover the fee. Caregiver jewelry is also available for an additional $5.
With the $40 registration fee, the participant receives the following products:
Engraved ID bracelet or necklace Iron-on clothing labels
Key chain Lapel pin
Refrigerator magnet Stickers
Wallet cards
“The Safe Return” Program
email for more information
(414) 357-MIND (6463)
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