The Rapid Response Advisory Group is a group of persons living with dementia, care partners, Police Services, Fire Services, EMS members, researchers and Alzheimer Society staff across Ontario who are working to build efforts across the province to ensure positive interactions when a person living with dementia or their care partners are involved with first responders. To access resources developed by the Rapid Response Advisory Group or to refer a person to the Alzheimer Society, please contact your local Alzheimer Society. Find your local Alzheimer Society here.
Below you will find education and resources available to you.
Are you aware of the various search programs that police forces and other first responder units can enroll in? These programs can aid in reducing and responding to missing person events for people living with dementia.
People living with dementia may communicate differently than people without cognitive impairments. It is important to know how their communication may be affected and how you can best communicate with them.
To search for and better assist people living with dementia, you should be aware of how the disease affects people and their behaviours. Knowing how to interact and engage with people living with dementia when they are lost is crucial to successfully reuniting the person with their family or care partner. Learn where you can access helpful training and educational modules.
Learn how first responders can help the care partners after the person goes missing and once they’re safely returned. Help arm the care partners with the resources they need to prevent this from happening again.
If you would like more information about the Rapid Response Advisory Group, please contact the Alzheimer Society Ontario.
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Why is this needed? Because 60% of people living with dementia will go missing at some point, and unlike other missing persons, people living with dementia may not be aware that they are missing and are more susceptible to injury and death if not found. If you are a first responder reading this, please share this collection of information and resources with your colleagues – it could save a life. |
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