Full Notification

NEWS RELEASE
Release Date: May 8, 2017
Modesto Police Department
Media Relations Unit
Office of the Chief of Police
600 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354

The Modesto Police Department Partners with MedicAlert Foundation to Provide Free Medical IDs and Services to Residents Who are At-Risk for Wandering - Families Encouraged to Attend Enrollment Event on Thursday, May 25th

Modesto, CA – The Modesto Police Department, in partnership with MedicAlert Foundation, has announced a free program aimed to protect community members with dementia and autism who are at-risk for wandering emergencies. Through the new program, Modesto Police Department will now be able to enroll local residents (and their caregivers), via an online portal, into the MedicAlert national registry/database to receive a free medical identification bracelet, necklace or shoe tag and free 24/7 emergency support services.

While the wandering statistics for Alzheimer’s disease and autism are staggering (6 in 10 adults with Alzheimer’s or related dementia will wander, and 50% of individuals with autism spectrum disorders will elope); MedicAlert has been hailed as an important part of the overall safety plan for families with a loved one at-risk of wandering. The charity reports that there is a 98% success rate for locating missing persons when MedicAlert products and services are utilized.

MedicAlert has developed specialized services to address wandering emergencies: MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return® is for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia, and MedicAlert Found® is for children and adults with autism spectrum and developmental disorders. These services are being offered at no charge to community members, along with a free MedicAlert identification bracelet. “We know that wandering is a grave concern for families, especially those with loved ones who have a dementia or autism spectrum diagnosis,” says David Leslie, President and CEO for MedicAlert Foundation. “Therefore, we are pleased to work with the Modesto Police Department to further protect their community members who are at risk.”

Family members of individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism and/or development disorders are encouraged to enroll their loved ones in the program Thursday, May 25th between 2 pm and 6 pm at the Modesto Police Building (600 10th Street).

About MedicAlert Foundation
Established in 1956, the nonprofit MedicAlert Foundation pioneered the use of medical IDs and delivers the most dependable, responsive, and trusted Emergency Identification and Medical Information Network. MedicAlert Foundation medical IDs alert emergency personnel to a member’s primary health conditions, medications or implanted medical devices. In addition to its 24-hour emergency response service, MedicAlert Foundation also provides family and caregiver notification so that members can be reunited with their loved ones. MedicAlert Foundation’s L.E.A.P. program is a nation-wide program available to all law enforcement agencies who wish to protect their community members who are at-risk for wandering, visit www.medicalert.org/leap for more information.

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