THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay Police and the Thunder Bay Alzheimer Society want people to be on the lookout for lost or wandering people in the city.
There are currently 2,800 people living with dementia in the community, with that number expected to double within the next generation.
On Tuesday, healthcare professionals and caregivers in the city focused on how they can ensure the safety of those living with dementia during a town hall meeting.
According to the Thunder Bay Alzheimer Society, 60 per cent of people living with Alzheimer go missing at some point and half of those who go missing are gone for more than 24-hours, which could lead to injury or death.
Public education coordinator Deanna Bessel said educating the community through programs like Finding Your Way can help reduce this number.
“There’s a four part module only that people can take,” Bessel said.
“Each module is 20 minutes long and each module is a different topic improving safety for people living with dementia.”
One of the module’s focuses on communicating with someone who may be lost.
The Finding Your Way program also offers advice on how family members and caregivers can stay pro-active by keeping an updated information package with details like age, height and places they frequently visit.
The Thunder Bay Alzheimer Society hopes public awareness will help create a successful action plan to ensure people living with dementia are kept in our community.
(TBT News)
