Living Alone and Shopping Excursions

Jane’s Experience of becoming confused and lost while shopping.

Jane*, a 68 year old woman with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, lived alone in the community without too many problems.  Jane received regular visits from her children and assistance form the local government HACC service and Community package.  Jane was used to regular outings on her own.

However, on this particular occasion after taking a taxi to a large shopping centre Jane panicked, lost confidence and became disorientated.  Although Jane appeared competent and well dressed, information booth staff noticed that she repeatedly passed the same point as though she were lost or searching for something. 

By evening the staff decided to ask her whether she needed assistance. When Jane indicated she was lost and alone she was taken to the Centre Management area.  In order to put Jane at ease, staff encouraged her to talk a little about herself.  Eventually Jane showed them a card with a relative’s contact name, number and address on it.  Unfortunately, the relative was not at home when management staff tried to contact them.

Management staff therefore had to contact the Police and Jane had to wait until the Police obtained another relative’s contact details. Fortunately, neighbours of the first contact person could give the Police this vital information. The Police spent considerable time trying to contact this relative. Jane was picked up by relatives and returned home early the next morning.      

Identified areas of concern

1. Although Jane had a card with a relative’s contact details this person was not available at all times. 
2. There were no other alternative contact details or information to help identify Jane’s particular medical problem.

How the Safe Return Home system could have helped Jane and her family

1. As Jane was not listed as missing, the public web site would not have listed her details. Therefore the Shopping centre staff would have contacted the Police who in turn would have accessed the secure section of the Safe Return Home database. The information on this database would have contained Jane’s own home address and multiple contact persons. It would also have alerted the Police to Jane’s special needs and the contact details of her Doctor(s). 
2. Due to the multiple contact persons listed on the database, Police would have quickly been able to find a family member to come to Jane’s aide.
3. Jane’s case highlights the need for a flexible type of database-one that is able to assist in identifying a person who is found in the community disorientated, lost or unwell. The Safe Return Home system has been designed to assist with this type of problem and offers additional security for people who may experience periods of confusion or disorientation.

*Jane is an assumed name to protect the privacy of this family.