What do we know about best police practices for lost persons with dementia? A scoping review.

Aim: To examine the efficacy of strategies used by the police for missing persons with dementia. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines, we searched peer-reviewed and gray literature of existing police practices used for missing persons with dementia. Data from the studies were analyzed descriptively. Results: The literature described 16 articles and 18 websites. Strategies ranged from identification tools, successful field techniques, locating technologies and community engagement/education. Overall scientific evidence was low, with only three studies evaluating the usability and effectiveness of the suggested strategies. Conclusion: More rigorous research is required to demonstrate the efficacy of best police practices for missing persons with dementia, which in turn could assist in the development of a best practice guideline.

Reflections of the use of locating technologies with persons with dementia: proceedings of a key stakeholder forum.

AIM: To describe the proceedings and outcomes of a Locating Technology and Dementia Forum that brought together 109 representatives of researchers, product manufacturers, policy makers, Alzheimer Societies, clinicians, first responders, persons with dementia and care partners. METHODS: Information gathered from this event was used to create strategic direction for advancing the development and use of locating technologies among persons with dementia. RESULTS: Key recommendations from this forum include the need to: fund and conduct research pertaining to usability and effectiveness of technologies; increase awareness about the risk of missing person events; develop a guideline of strategies to manage critical wandering; and engage users in technology development and evaluation. CONCLUSION: Results are being used to guide research and to inform policies directed at the management of dementia-related wandering.

Finding Your Way™: a collaborative approach to increase awareness of missing person events among persons with dementia.

AIM: To describe an innovative community-wide program aimed at increasing awareness of risks of missing person events among persons with dementia targeting various cultural groups and to present preliminary evaluation findings. METHODS: Review of program records to describe program implementation and a community partner survey. RESULTS: Over 23 months, 386 partnerships were established to implement the program; 941 awareness-raising sessions were conducted reaching 23,495 individuals. There is an upward trend in number of sessions conducted in various languages and attendance. Community partners' (>85%) responded positively to the program and consultation process. CONCLUSION: This partnership experience demonstrates the effectiveness of a collaborative approach to the development and widespread dissemination of information and resource materials aimed at ensuring the safety of a vulnerable population.