When would a person need to be part of the Wander Search Programme
In New Zealand:
There are about 70,000 people with dementia, of which Alzheimer’s is the largest cause. https://www.alzheimers.org.nz/
Autism affects approximately 80,000 people https://www.autismnz.org.nz/
Every day, 90 New Zealanders sustain a brain injury https://www.brain-injury.nz/
Between 50 and 80 babies with Down Syndrome are born each year (1 per 1000 babies worldwide). http://www.nzdsa.org.nz/index.htm
A proportion of people with cognitive impairments as a result of the above, will be at risk of going missing, and these risks can be managed by social, environmental and technological solutions. However, for people who are at a high risk or proven risk of going missing, and the other options are not working then a Wander Search device may be worth considering. People may not always have the same level of risk and may only find having a Wander search device useful for a certain part of their lives.
People can seek advice form health providers and support agencies or contact their local Wander Search group to discuss.
Wander Search devices can only assist in locating a missing person if the person has it with them at the time. It is recommended that the person wears it all the time or it is attached to something that the person will never leave home without.
Wander Search is a very useful system used to locate people when they are reported missing to the police, however like all electronic equipment in rare cases they can be damaged or fail.