A proactive program offered in Quinte West and other areas has led to the safe return of an vulnerable person who had gone missing.
Quinte West OPP were called Wednesday when a a 67-year-old man was reported to have left his residence and could not be located by his family.
The man suffers from dementia and was wearing a Project Lifesaver radio frequency bracelet.
Quinte West OPP officers, equipped with Project Lifesaver radio frequency receivers, responded and were able to locate the man in under 10 minutes
approximately one-kilometer from his residence.
He was in an area away from the road and was not visible to any passersby.
He had gotten caught in a treed area and was not able to free himself.
Hypothermia was beginning to set in.
After being assessed by Hastings Quinte Paramedics the male was left in the care of his family.
Police say there is no doubt that the quick actions of the officers and use of the Project Lifesaver equipment led to a life being saved.
Through Project Lifesaver individuals who experience cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s or dementia and are at risk or wandering away from home are provided with a radio frequency bracelet that is worn at all times.
Locally, the Alzheimer Society for Hastings- Prince Edward administers the program for Quinte West OPP and the Belleville Police Service.
Many OPP detachments across East Region are involved in the program and have specially trained officers available to respond to calls where people enrolled in the program go missing. They can utilize the equipment to quickly locate the individuals.
Anyone looking for more information on the program is encouraged to contact the Alzheimer Society for Hastings-Prince Edward or your local OPP Detachment.
