Dementia Buddies project rolled out across Lancashire

(left to right) DS Andy Doran and PC Helen Williams from Lancashire Constabulary, Sue Hird from Lancashire County Council, Mark Aldred of the Good Deeds Trust, Barry Hornsby from Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Gary Organ and Peter Sutcliffe from the North West Ambulance Service, supporting the Dementia Buddies scheme

Under the Guardian Angels Dementia Buddies scheme, the person living with dementia wears a device with Near Field Communication - technology in mobile phones.

Lancashire County Council, police and the fire service are supporting the introduction of the scheme.

It was developed by Mark and Karen Aldred, of charity the Good Deeds Trust.

Mark Aldred said: “One of the biggest fears of carers of people with dementia is that their loved ones will forget where they live or where they are.

“We have developed a number of devices including a wristband, pin badge and keyring which the person with dementia can keep with them at all times.

“If you spot any of the Guardian Angel dementia buddy devices on someone who is lost or confused, swipe your mobile phone screen and tap the back of your mobile phone onto the device.

“A message will appear on your screen giving the wearer’s first name only and an emergency phone number which you can click on to speak to their carer.”

County Coun Azhar Ali, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for health said: “We are proud to support this scheme which will enable people with dementia to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

“It will provide much reassurance for people with dementia and their families as we know the worry of getting lost is a major concern for them.

“It will also make it much easier for the police in particular and emergency services to identify the person with dementia, so we have been working with them and dementia services staff to deliver training to use the devices.

“We hope that members of the public can also look out for people wearing the devices who may be distressed, and either call the police to assist or help them be returned to their families safely.”