Finding Your Way™: a collaborative approach to increase awareness of missing person events among persons with dementia. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hillier, Loretta M; Harvey, David; Conway, Cathy; Hunt, Jocelyn; Hoffman, Ron
• Is Part Of: Neurodegenerative disease management. Volume 6:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: community outreach -- community safety -- dementia -- missing person events; Nervous system -- Degeneration -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.2217/nmt.15.72
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-2024

Abstract

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.