For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1500067 |
| Date Issued: | Jun 15, 2015 - 11:55am |
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Sheriff's Office/Local Agencies announce new Partnership working to protect those who "wander" |
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| CONTACT: | Deputy Jeff McCaskill Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-328-6370 Cell 775-771-8252 |
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office announced today that they are teaming up with a number of local agencies in a private-public partnership aimed at protecting persons who "wander."
"Wandering" refers to a variety of behaviors that may result in people of all ages with Alzheimer's, dementia, or cognitive impairments becoming lost and putting their safety at risk.
Incidents of wandering are on the rise in Washoe County and other local law enforcement agencies have become increasingly concerned for the safety of those who wander.
As a result, law enforcement met with the Alzheimer's Association of Northern Nevada, Washoe County Social Services/Senior Services, Nevada Aging and Disability Services, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada/Kids to Seniors Korner, Alert ID and others to create a Washoe County "Wandering" Initiative.
"Through these meetings, we learned that caregivers often feel unsure about keeping those in their care safe and were often unaware about the resources available to them," Sheriff Chuck Allen said. "The goal of this multi-agency initiative is to increase safety for those who wander by better educating caregivers and better equipping the law enforcement agencies."
Part of this initiative includes the creation of "Wandering Kits" to give to caregivers. These kits include:
- security items such as door knob covers, an inexpensive door alarm, a lock with a screwdriver kit
- a resource CD/DVD offering practical strategies to minimize the risk of wandering and to be better prepared if someone in their care does wander
- a Wandering ID Kit similar to a Child ID kit
- information on the Care Trak system for vulnerable persons
St. Mary's Hospital provided funding for the first one thousand Wandering Kits. Arbors Memory Care provided the screwdrivers.
The kits are being distributed by Kids to Seniors Korner. To obtain a FREE kit, caregivers can pick them up at 224 Edison Way #500, Reno NV 89502 or they can contact K2SK at (775) 858-5251 to arrange for delivery.
In addition to the Wandering Kits, the Sheriff's Office, Reno Police Department and Sparks Police Department are now using the CareTrak tracking system for law enforcement and caregivers. Care Trak International of Murphysboro, Illinois created a telemetry tracking system that uses radio waves to help locate missing persons who are at high risk due to special needs.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division, Search and Rescue Unit, Vulnerable Persons Unit and RAVEN are now equipped with Care Trak receivers as are the Reno and Sparks Police Departments.
Caregivers may learn more about how they can obtain Care Trak transmitters by contacting Kids to Seniors Korner.
Our community partners have taken the Care Trak program to a new level by introducing a Mobile App that allows emergency personnel access to all client information, including their picture and transmitter frequency, when every minute counts.
Community partners for this initiative include:
- Alzheimer's Association of Northern Nevada
- Catholic Charities/Kids to Seniors Korner
- Nevada Aging and Disability Services
- Reno Police Department
- Sparks Police Department
- Washoe County Department of Social Services/Washoe County Senior Services
For more information on the Wandering Prevention Program, go to www.washoesheriff.com.
CLICK HERE for Wandering Prevention Program Video
CLICK HERE for Care Track Informational Video
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.
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