Why the system is needed

Why the Safe Return Home system is needed

Peace of mind and safety are important concerns for all carers. The Safe Return Home program, developed by Applied Age Care Solutions (AACS), aims to help support families and carers by providing an efficient, secure, and up to date professional internet database service to facilitate the speedy recovery of lost or disorientated ’at risk’ people.

To gain some appreciation for the extent of this problem, it is estimated that up to 25% of all people with memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease are at risk of becoming lost or disorientated (Wandering and Dementia. Report to the Health Department of Victoria, Australia 1998).

The Safe Return Home system is used by the Police to help them identify and locate missing people with memory loss, confusion and/or disorientation.  Police in Tasmania and Victoria currently use the system and negotiations are underway to broaden the coverage of the system to include other Australian States (Western Australia; New South Wales; Queensland; Australia Capital Territory). The Azheimer’s Associations in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia have endorsed the principle of the system.

The system is also being presented to other relevant organisations, including Carers Associations across Australia.

What Safe Return Home Offers

In the event of a missing person episode, identification details are immediately available for Police via the Internet.  The system allows Police to search, and broadcast identifying information.  Families and carers will not be faced with the panic of having to organise these details for Police at the time of an incident.

The Safe Return Home system provides many features including:

• an up-to-date secure internet system that is available for Police, families and carers 24 hours a day
• Police can immediately broadcast details on the missing person (eg. high resolution photograph) locally or statewide
• a public web site enabling people in the community (eg. public transport, taxi and shopping centre management) to check details of missing people
• families, carers and registrants have their own private access area on the system.  They can check the details of the registrant (or self) online using their unique username/password that they can change at any time
• families, carers and registrants can also store essential descriptive (eg. doctors contact details) and medical information (eg. medications, allergies) for reference if desired. Strict privacy and consent conditions apply.
• the option of purchasing a high quality ID bracelet with specialised engraving from AACS for additional security.  There is a range of attractive options to choose from and the bracelets are genuine fashions items.
• affordable fees for 24-hour access, a personal web storage and information retrieval area and 6-monthly updates