WHO ARE WE
Wander Search Groups
WanderSearch is provided throughout New Zealand by charitable organisations; either Wander Search Trusts, local Alzheimers organisation or LandSAR. We rely largely on volunteers and charitable funding.
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WHO USES WANDERSEARCH
WanderSearch in the community
People who can benefit from having a device have a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, brain injury and Down Syndrome and may need assistance to find their way home. WanderSearch supports people who have a risk of going missing by providing a device that assists in locating that person if necessary. .
LEARN MOREWHY WOULD PEOPLE USE WANDERSEARCH
The Secret of Success
WanderSearch is useful for any person with a cognitive impairment who has a risk of going missing. It provides peace of mind for the person using the device and their family/whanau, friends and caregivers that should they go missing there are methods to assist in locating them quickly. This supports people living and participating with freedom in their communities.
LEARN MOREWHEN IS WANDERSEARCH USEFUL
When WanderSearch makes a difference
People who use a WanderSearch device are found much faster compared to people without any sort of location device. For people who have frail health or unaware of environmental hazards the time taken to locate them can be critical.
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SAFER WALKING IN NEW ZEALAND
Safer Walking and WanderSearch
The Safer Walking Framework is an overaching way of thinking about reducing the number of incidents of people with cognitive impairments going missing. It supports people having a healthy active life in their communities. WanderSearch is one tool to support people.
HOW TO GET A WANDERSEARCH DEVICE
How to Get a Device
To be issued with a WanderSearch device (also known as wanda trak or wandatrak which is a brand name of the devices made in the South Island) you must contact your local group (click on the find us button) that manages the programme in your area. Each Group can advise on their issuing criteria and costs.
Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR) employs the National Safer Walking Coordinator to give effect to the Safer Walking Framework. They maintain this website for the benefit of the public and groups delivering the WanderSearch Programme.
LandSARCoordinatorAcknowledgments
We acknowledge the vision and work undertaken by the WanderSearch New Zealand Charitable Trust, in setting up the original WanderSearch New Zealand website.
Our sincere gratitude to Allan Pritchard former Trustee of Wandersearch Canterbury Charitable Trust for the website design and development of this site.
Photos
Credit to Allan Pritchard, Margie Sharkey and Wandersearch Canterbury Charitable Trust; NZ Police; Dunedin District Land Search and Rescue Committee;
Southland Search and Rescue;
Alzheimers Manawatu;
Waikato WanderSearch Trust;
The Star, Dunedin;
LandSAR.
New Zealand Search and Rescue (NZSAR) Council provides strategic leadership to the New Zealand Search and Rescue Sector, including WanderSearch. NZSAR funds LandSAR to provide services in support of the Safer Walking Framework.
NZSAR