Partnership with the New York City Police Department

Elizabeth Bravo Santiago,
Director of Wanderer's Safety Program

Beginning in 1993, the MedicAlert® NYC Wanderer’s Safety Program has had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and committed police officers and detectives in the New York City Police Department. Together, we’ve made an enormously positive impact on the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias and their caregivers.

Few people realize that wandering is a common and potentially life-threatening behavior of persons with dementia. Statistically, six out of ten people will wander and if a wanderer is not found within a 24-hour period, there is a possibility he or she could be found seriously injured or deceased.

Because of our long-standing partnership and communication, during the last 12 months we have had a 97 percent success rate reuniting missing and found persons with their caregivers and enrolled over 1,500 new members into the MedicAlert NYC Wanderer’s Safety Program.

As soon as a report is generated by the police department and called into the MedicAlert NYC Wanderer’s Safety Emergency Line, the staff begins to assist by contacting family members, confirming identifying information, getting permission to go forward with our protocols, including faxing missing person bulletins, and initiating media attention. The Wanderer’s Safety Program team always updates the detectives on the case with any additional information.
This can be a stressful and emotionally draining time for caregivers. CaringKind is always available to assist caregivers by providing support during the period that a person with dementia is missing and afterwards to provide guidance and care planning to ensure the safety of the person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

Grants are available to cover the cost of the identification product for all persons living in the five boroughs diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

For more information or to enroll someone into the MedicAlert NYC Wanderer’s Safety Program, please call our 24-hour Helpline at 646-744-2900 or visit www.caringkindnyc.org/wandersafety.

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