Smart wristbands to help Gateshead residents with dementia stay safe
New wearable safeguarding technology which aims to help people living with dementia is soon to launch in Gateshead.
It is estimated that 70% of people living with dementia will go missing at least once - and every minute counts when it comes to helping them get back to their caregivers safely. In Gateshead, it's estimated over 1,00 residents live with dementia. As over 20% of the population are over the age of 65, dementia rates and demand for social care are rising.
Working with health partners and the police, the council will trial the rollout of 200 dementia safeguarding wristbands which aim to make it easier for people to report someone as missing and to connect them with their emergency contacts.
The eye-catching bright blue wristbands, developed by safeguarding technology company Lumiio, will contain the wearer's name and emergency contact number, which can be accessed by anyone with a smartphone.
Anyone in Gateshead who spots someone wearing a wristband and is on their own, looking lost or confused, can stop and help.
Steph Downey, Strategic Director for Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council, said:
"When your loved one is living with dementia, it can be scary to know how to keep them safe. We're proud to be trialling these wristbands in Gateshead, which hope to offer reassurance to the families and carers of people living with dementia, as well as the individual themselves. It also supports us on our mission to make Gateshead a dementia friendly borough - where everyone living with dementia can feel safe and supported. While the initial trial is limited, anyone who knows someone living with dementia can complete the Herbert Protocol form online, which is used nationwide to help share essential information with the police if their loved one goes missing."
Helen Jones, Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Lumiio, commented:
"We're delighted to partner with Gateshead Council to help support and protect vulnerable people through secure, accessible technology. Lumiio was created with safety and simplicity at its core, and we're excited to see the positive impact this partnership can make."
People participating in the pilot will be selected through both professional and self-referral. Anyone who is interested in a wristband, for themselves or someone they care for, can apply through a form which will be shared ahead of the rollout through the council's communications platforms.
All referrals will also be required to sign up to the Herbert Protocol. For more information and to complete the Herbert Protocol form, visit Vulnerable people at risk of going missing | Northumbria Police.
New wearable safeguarding technology which aims to help people living with dementia is soon to launch in Gateshead.
It is estimated that 70% of people living with dementia will go missing at least once - and every minute counts when it comes to helping them get back to their caregivers safely. In Gateshead, it's estimated over 1,00 residents live with dementia. As over 20% of the population are over the age of 65, dementia rates and demand for social care are rising.
Working with health partners and the police, the council will trial the rollout of 200 dementia safeguarding wristbands which aim to make it easier for people to report someone as missing and to connect them with their emergency contacts.
The eye-catching bright blue wristbands, developed by safeguarding technology company Lumiio, will contain the wearer's name and emergency contact number, which can be accessed by anyone with a smartphone.
Anyone in Gateshead who spots someone wearing a wristband and is on their own, looking lost or confused, can stop and help.
Steph Downey, Strategic Director for Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council, said:
"When your loved one is living with dementia, it can be scary to know how to keep them safe. We're proud to be trialling these wristbands in Gateshead, which hope to offer reassurance to the families and carers of people living with dementia, as well as the individual themselves. It also supports us on our mission to make Gateshead a dementia friendly borough - where everyone living with dementia can feel safe and supported. While the initial trial is limited, anyone who knows someone living with dementia can complete the Herbert Protocol form online, which is used nationwide to help share essential information with the police if their loved one goes missing."
Helen Jones, Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Lumiio, commented:
"We're delighted to partner with Gateshead Council to help support and protect vulnerable people through secure, accessible technology. Lumiio was created with safety and simplicity at its core, and we're excited to see the positive impact this partnership can make."
People participating in the pilot will be selected through both professional and self-referral. Anyone who is interested in a wristband, for themselves or someone they care for, can apply through a form which will be shared ahead of the rollout through the council's communications platforms.
All referrals will also be required to sign up to the Herbert Protocol. For more information and to complete the Herbert Protocol form, visit Vulnerable people at risk of going missing | Northumbria Police.
