Do you worry about your loved one’s safety and well-being when they go out? MedicAlert’s medical ID can help identify them and keep them safe while offering you peace of mind.
When it comes to dementia care, you want to do the right thing for your loved one. While you care for them, it may not be possible for you to be with them all the time, especially if you don’t live with them. You may worry about the person going out on their own and getting lost or becoming unwell while they are out. MedicAlert can help, offering you true peace of mind and helping to keep your loved one safe.
What is MedicAlert?
MedicAlert is a range of jewellery, such as bracelets and necklaces worn to hold your loved one’s medical information, including their ID, medical details, unique membership number and MedicAlert’s 24/7 emergency phone number. This means that when a first responder finds them when they’re lost or in the middle of a medical emergency, they can instantly see your loved one has additional needs and can call to access their medical details. This means your loved one will receive the quickest, most effective support and care when needed most.
MedicAlert jewellery is also suitable for people with other medical conditions, including heart conditions, diabetes, asthma, allergies, and high blood pressure.
Where did MedicAlert originate from?
Founded in California in 1956, MedicAlert launched in the UK in 1964 and is celebrating 60 years of life-saving medical ID services here. As the pioneer of medical IDs and still the only charity provider of life-saving medical ID services worldwide, MedicAlert is trusted and recognised internationally.
Its team, based in Buckinghamshire, comprises a production unit that creates the bespoke medical ID jewellery and registered nurses who support its 42,000 members.
When your loved one signs up for MedicAlert, a nurse will walk you through every step of the process and will check your loved one’s full record is up to date and medically sound. Carers IDs are available for additional peace of mind, and carers can also help manage a person’s record and store their own emergency care plan.
Herbert Protocol
For a person with dementia, MedicAlert can also store their Herbert Protocol – vital information to help track down a person should they go missing – digitally within their MedicAlert record. This can save time in an emergency.
Tommy Dunne was diagnosed with young-onset dementia in 2011 at the age of 58. He tries to live a full life and uses MedicAlert to help him maintain some independence. Tommy says: ‘MedicAlert promotes the use of Herbert Protocol, which gives people more freedom because it gives you peace of mind. Because when people with dementia go out, they could get lost and not remember how to get home. Having identity with us is great. It saves time and saves the expense of the police looking for you and getting a helicopter out. It’s such a simple thing, yet such a great idea. It gives me a feeling of safety.’
For more information
MedicAlert works with a wide range of charity partners, including The McLay Dementia Trust, to help support more people with medical conditions. For more information or to set up your MedicAlert membership, please call 01908 951045 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 3.30pm, and Saturday 9am to 3pm or visit medicalert.org.uk.
MedicAlert is a sponsor and partner of Dementia Help magazine.