In Peel Region, there are currently over 30,000 persons living with dementia, and of these, an estimated 21,423 persons suffer specifically from Alzheimer’s. According to ASP, 60% of all persons living with dementia will become lost at some point and approximately 50% of those with dementia missing beyond 24 hours will be located injured or deceased.
By partnering with ASP through a Memorandum of Understanding, PRP’s Community Safety and Well-being Command has established a reciprocal referral process to connect persons living with Alzheimer’s with the support they need from ASP. When persons living with dementia do go missing, a process is in place to more effectively deploy resources for significantly safer outcomes. Through our Divisional Mobilization Unit (DMU), officers will conduct in-person visits to people and their families experiencing dementia. Their focus will be on offering support, making referrals, assisting with completing the Vulnerable Person Registry, and providing safeguarding information to help prevent incidents of individuals going missing.
Councillor Dasko at the launch of this initiative that will create safer outcomes for our vulnerable community members.