Missing Persons Week 2013 - Being proactive to help keep family and friends safe
With Missing Persons Week 2013
underway, the Queensland Police Service is reminding families to take
the steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable members of
your family.
During 2011/2012 financial year,
Queensland police received 252 reports from family and friends reporting
persons over the age of 60 missing (with many suffering a medical
condition including dementia related conditions).
While in most cases missing persons are
located very quickly and without incident, it is a situation that can be
prevented with just a few simple steps.
“On average 17 people every day of the
year are reported missing to police. Of course a number of these are
calls to assist with an older person or a person living with an
impairment who has gone missing or simply lost their way home and can be
located quickly.
“We are always there to assist in these
situations, but in many instances it is something that is avoidable,”
Detective Superintendent Steve Holahan of the State Crime Command’s
Homicide Group said.
“We understand that families are busy
and have a number of stresses and competing priorities. However by being
proactive you can feel a bit more confident in the safety of your
family member and prevent the stress and trauma involved with a missing
person incident,” he said.
Alzheimer’s Australia Queensland CEO
Victoria Beedle says there are a number of ways to minimise the chance
of your loved one with dementia going missing.
“Involving your loved one in meaningful
activities throughout the day can reduce the boredom and restlessness
that often leads a person with dementia to wander,” Ms Beedle said.
“More than 51,000 people in Queensland
are living with dementia and it’s important to remember it can affect
younger people. There are people in their thirties, forties and fifties
living with a diagnosis of dementia too.
“If you’re worried about a loved one’s
memory or wandering you can contact our National Dementia helpline on
1800 100 500 for more information,” she said.
Some tips include:
- Make sure the person has appropriate
and current identification with them at all times in their wallet or
purse. An identity bracelet with name, address and phone number is an
excellent way to ensure their personal details are easy to access.
- Regularly update the photos you have
of this person and make them easily accessible, should you need to
access them in a hurry.
- Consider installing a bell or buzzer near doorways so you are aware when your loved one is leaving the home.
- Take the time to look at the local
area they live in. Ask them to show you the local shops and facilities
they visit and the route they take each time.
- Speak with their neighbours and local
shop owners and ask if they can keep a friendly eye on your loved one.
Provide them with a way to contact you.
- Never wait to report the matter to
police if you think they may be missing. You do not have to wait 24
hours to report a person missing. Acting quickly in these situations
enables police to respond to the matter and begin looking for your
family member.
Missing Persons Week 2013 runs from July 28-August 3. For more information visit www.missingpersons.gov.au
For a list of missing persons across Queensland – visit the QPS website at www.police.qld.gov.au/
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.
