Safe Return is a national, government-funded program of the Alzheimer Association that assists in the identification and safe, timely return of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who wander off, sometimes far from home, and become lost.

The Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return Program is the only nationwide program of its kind. Since the program began in 1993, nearly 110,000 individuals have registered in Safe Return nationwide. The program has facilitated the recovery of more than 8,000 individuals to their families and caregivers with an over 99 percent success in safely returning those registered in the program.

How Does Safe Return Work?

The Safe Return Program helps unite families by working through Alzheimer's Association chapters across the country and trained community members like law enforcement officials, emergency medical technicians, and transit operators. The program includes:

• Identification products including wallet cards, jewelry, clothing labels, lapel pin, bag tags
• A national photo/information data base
• A 24-hour toll-free emergency crisis line
• Alzheimer's Association local chapter support
• Wandering behavior education and training for caregivers and families
  

If the registrant wanders and is found, the person who finds him or her can call the Safe Return toll-free number located on the wanderer's identification wallet card, jewelry, or clothing labels. The Safe Return telephone operator immediately alerts the family members or caregiver listed in the database so they can be reunited.

If a person is reported missing by a family member or caregiver, Safe Return can fax local law enforcement agencies the missing person's information and photograph. Local Alzheimer's Association chapters provide family support and assistance while police conduct the search and rescue.

Registration

To register, a person with dementia or their caregiver fills out a simple form, supplies a photograph, and chooses the type of identification product that the registrant will wear and/or carry. The registration fee is $40 and caregiver jewelry is $5. For those in need, scholarships may be available through your local Alzheimer's Association.