The Herbert Protocol is a helpful scheme devised to help you locate your loved one faster if they go missing.
When a loved one living with dementia goes missing, every second counts. It’s a situation no carer ever wants to face, yet it happens more often than many realise. Every year, over 40,000 people living with dementia are reported missing for the first time. In the confusion and panic of the moment, vital information can be challenging to recall. What do they look like? Where might they have gone? Who do you call first?
The Herbert Protocol was created to help during these critical moments. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that allows police forces across the country to act quickly when someone goes missing. Named after George Herbert, a war veteran who lived with dementia, the protocol is designed to give emergency services instant access to essential details that could help bring someone home safely, as soon as possible.
How the Herbert Protocol works
The Herbert Protocol involves completing a form that records key information about a person living with dementia. It includes their medical details, places they are drawn to from their past, daily routines and a recent photograph. Families keep this form safe, updating it regularly. If a person goes missing, the form can be handed straight to the police, helping them start their search without delay.
This preparation can save precious time, reduce distress, and ensure that emergency responders have the whole picture. For carers, it offers reassurance that there’s a plan in place to provide guidance for life’s most uncertain moments.
MedicAlert and the Herbert Protocol
As a charity, MedicAlert provides the Herbert Protocol for free, as well as offering a first-year membership and medical ID completely free. Through a secure database and medical ID, MedicAlert enables emergency responders to access verified medical details at any time. For those living with dementia, this can mean the difference between confusion and clarity in an emergency.
By combining the foresight of the Herbert Protocol with the trusted protection of MedicAlert, families can feel confident that they’re prepared for the unexpected. It’s a partnership built on reassurance, helping carers protect their loved ones and ensuring those living with dementia can maintain independence with peace of mind.
Reassurance when it’s needed most
Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming, but tools like the Herbert Protocol provide guidance and confidence in moments of uncertainty. It’s not just about filling in a form; It’s about creating a plan that empowers carers and protects those they love.
Find out more at herbertprotocol.com