Cambridgeshire Constabulary has launched a Dementia Safeguarding Scheme to help support people in the area suffering from dementia. A smart wristband will be issued to hundreds of people living with dementia in a project supported by the force to help safeguard some of the most vulnerable members of society.
The Dementia Safeguarding Scheme will see members of the community in Cambridgeshire who live with dementia offered a yellow wristband, similar to a watch in appearance.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Savill says:
‘This new technology is one more important step to ensure we do everything possible to protect vulnerable people in Cambridgeshire. It is crucial that people living with dementia can get to a place of safety and security, with friends or family, as quickly as possible. These wristbands will help to achieve that and reduce the demand on emergency services.
Members of the public who come across someone wearing a wristband and looking lost or confused are asked to reassure them and use their mobile phone to read the information on the band, which uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. To do this, hold your mobile against the code on the band and your screen will then display the name and number of the person’s next of kin. You can ring the Next of Kin and reunite them quickly and safely, often with no need to inform anyone else.