What to do when someone with dementia goes missing: your emergency action plan

We hope you'll never need this information, but having a plan ready can save precious time and help you stay calmer if the worst happens. Think of this as your emergency toolkit - something you prepare but hope never to use. When someone with dementia goes missing, the first few hours are crucial, and knowing exactly what to do can make all the difference to bringing them home safely.

The most important thing to remember is that this isn't about blame or what you should have done differently. When someone with dementia goes missing, it's typically due to the condition itself, not anything you've done wrong. Your job now is to focus on the practical steps that will help bring them home safely.

The first 15 minutes: immediate steps to take

Time is absolutely critical when someone with dementia goes missing. The first quarter of an hour sets the tone for everything that follows, so having a clear mental checklist can help you act quickly and effectively.

Check obvious places first

Before assuming they've left the property, do a thorough search of your home and immediate surroundings. People with dementia can hide in surprising places or may have fallen and be unable to call for help. Check:

• All rooms, including those they don't usually enter

• Wardrobes, under beds, behind curtains

• Garden sheds, garages, conservatories

• With immediate neighbours who know them well

Don't spend too long on this initial search - if you can't find them within 10-15 minutes of searching, it's time to assume they've left the area and move to the next step.

Start making calls

While you're doing your initial search, start calling people who might have seen them or who they might have visited. This includes:

• Close family members and friends

• Neighbours who know them

• Regular shopkeepers or service providers they interact with

• Their GP surgery or day centre if they attend one

Ask these people not just whether they've seen your loved one, but also to keep an eye out and call you immediately if they do appear.

Begin documenting the timeline

Write down what time you last saw them, what they were wearing, and any conversations or events that might give clues about where they were heading. This information will be vital when you speak to the police, and it's much easier to remember accurately in these first few minutes than it will be later when you're more stressed.

When to call the police: sooner than you might think

Many people hesitate to call the police, worried about wasting their time or feeling like they should search longer themselves first. In reality, when it comes to vulnerable missing persons, the police would much rather be called early than late.

Call 999 immediately if:

• The person has been missing for more than 30 minutes and you've completed your initial searches

• They're in an area with busy roads, water, or other immediate dangers

• The weather conditions are poor (very hot, cold, or wet)

• They have other medical conditions that could put them at immediate risk

• It's getting dark or they went missing during the night

What the police will want to know: When you call 999, be ready to provide:

• The person's full name, age, and address

• When and where you last saw them

• What they were wearing

• Any medical conditions or medications they take

• Whether they have money, keys, or identification with them

• Areas they might be drawn to (former homes, workplaces, favourite places)

The National Police Chiefs' Council emphasises that missing person cases involving dementia are treated as high priority from the moment they're reported.

How to use your Herbert Protocol form effectively

If you've prepared a Herbert Protocol form in advance, now is when it becomes invaluable. This pre-prepared information can save crucial time and ensure nothing important is forgotten in the stress of the moment.

Submitting your Herbert Protocol:

• Have the form ready to email or hand to police immediately

• If you have photos on your phone as backup, have these ready too

• Make sure any recent changes to appearance or behaviour are noted

• Include any specific concerns about where they might have headed

Information beyond the standard form:

Even with a Herbert Protocol form, you'll want to provide additional context about:

• What happened in the hours before they went missing

• Their mood or behaviour that day

• Any recent changes to routine or medication

• Whether anything specific might have triggered their departure

Information the police will need from you

Beyond the Herbert Protocol form, the police will need current, specific information about the circumstances of the disappearance. Being prepared with these details helps ensure nothing important is missed.

Recent behaviour and triggers

Think about:

• Any changes in their routine that day

• Conversations about wanting to go somewhere specific

• Whether they seemed confused, agitated, or upset

• Any recent significant events or visitors

Practical details about their current state

• Are they likely to have money with them?

• Do they have their keys, phone, or any identification?

• Are they wearing appropriate clothing for the weather?

• Do they know their own name and address?

• Are they likely to accept help from strangers?

Your availability and contact details

Make sure the police have multiple ways to reach you and any other key family members. If your phone battery is running low, charge it immediately or find alternative contact methods.

Organising family and friends to help with the search

While the police coordinate the official search, having family and friends help can be incredibly valuable. However, it's important to organise this help effectively rather than having people search randomly.

Creating search teams

• Assign specific areas to different people to avoid duplication

• Give each team a time limit and ask them to report back regardless of whether they find anything

• Ensure each team has charged mobile phones and your contact details

• Ask people to take photos of any clues they find rather than disturbing potential evidence

Areas to prioritise

Based on research from the Alzheimer's Society, people with dementia who wander often head towards:

• Previous homes or significant addresses from their past

• Former workplaces

• Places of worship they attended

• Favourite shops, cafés, or social venues

• Bus stops or transport hubs (they may not remember how to get home)

Coordinating with official search efforts

Keep the police informed about your private search efforts and make sure your volunteers don't interfere with official search teams. The police can advise which areas they want to focus on and which areas they'd prefer volunteers to avoid.

What happens during a police search

Understanding how police searches work can help you know what to expect and how best to support the official effort.

Initial response

Police will typically start with a risk assessment that determines the scale and urgency of the search. High-risk cases (involving extreme weather, dangerous areas or serious medical conditions) get immediate resources.

Search strategies

Police use various methods depending on the circumstances:

• Ground searches by officers and volunteers

• Dog units specially trained for finding missing persons

• Helicopter searches for large or difficult terrain

• CCTV checks from local businesses and traffic cameras

• Social media appeals for information from the public

Keeping you informed

The police should keep you regularly updated on their search progress and any developments. Don't hesitate to call for updates if you haven't heard anything for several hours.

After they're found safe: next steps and follow-up care

When your loved one is found and returned safely, the relief can be overwhelming. However, it's important to think about next steps to reduce the risk of future incidents.

Immediate medical check

Even if they seem fine, it's worth having them checked by a healthcare professional, especially if they've been missing for several hours or were exposed to difficult weather conditions.

Reviewing what happened

Try to understand what triggered the wandering episode:

• Where were they trying to go, and why?

• What route did they take?

• How far did they get, and what stopped them?

• Did they accept help from anyone, or try to avoid people?

This information can help you prevent similar incidents and update your home safety measures accordingly.

Updating your emergency plan

Use this experience to refine your emergency procedures:

• Update your Herbert Protocol form with any new information

• Review whether your home security measures need adjusting

• Consider whether additional support or monitoring might be helpful

• Discuss the incident with other family members and update them on any plan changes

Emotional support for everyone

Going missing incidents can be traumatic for everyone involved, including the person with dementia who may be confused or upset by the experience. Consider whether additional emotional support might be helpful through carer support groups or professional counselling services.

Planning ahead

This experience, while stressful, provides valuable information about your loved one's wandering patterns and behaviours. Use it to strengthen your preparation for the future, whilst hoping you'll never need these plans again.

Remember, having a clear emergency action plan doesn't mean you're expecting the worst - it means you're being a responsible, caring person who wants to be prepared. The fact that you're reading this and thinking ahead shows how much you care about keeping your loved one safe.