Locator service assists residents with dementia
July 17, 2010
St. Peters, MO
Officials developed a program to assist residents with Alzheimer’s and other dementia related illnesses. The program, St. Peters Family Locator Service, aims to further protect the safety of St. Peters’ residents with dementia.
The idea for the program was provided by a St. Peters resident who was concerned about one of his neighbors who is suffering from dementia. He contacted St. Peters Alderman Gus Elliott and told him about his neighbor and that he felt the neighbor and others in the community would benefit from a program that could assist police officers in identifying someone found wandering in the community and safely return them to their loved ones.
With the help of the St. Peters Police Department this program became a reality. The Family Locator Service program is now in effect and helps police officers easily identify residents found wandering in the community who are suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementia related illnesses. The program uses a database called PAMET that can be accessed by police officers. If an officer observes an individual who appears confused or perhaps suffering from dementia, they can access information about registered participants from inside their police vehicles. Using their in-car computers, the officer can try to identify the person and then contact the appropriate loved one or caregiver for a safe return home. The idea is to eliminate an extremely stressful situation for a person who is confused and suffering from dementia, as well as lessen the anxiety of the caretaker looking for their loved one.
Lieutenant Tim Snavely of the St. Peters Police Department has high hopes for the success of this new program. He said, “I’ve spoken with family members who stated one of their greatest fears is that their family member who suffers from dementia won’t be immediately located and may travel far from the area. However, I think this program will help to eliminate their worries.”
St. Peters Family Locator Service is voluntary and residents with dementia related illnesses and their caregivers are encouraged to participate. Residents can register for the program by filling out an emergency contact form. The form asks specific questions about the person’s physical appearance, such as height, weight, hair color and age and also the emergency contact information for the person’s loved one. In addition, a photograph of the person can be included for quicker identification.
Residents can register for the program at St. Peters Police Department, 1020 Grand Teton Drive in St. Peters or call 636-278-2222 and a police department representative will come to your home to complete the form.
From the City of St. Peters
Copyright 2010 Neighbors About Town
