Stories about missing incidents involving persons living with dementia
We created ten case scenarios of people living with dementia who become lost and go missing. These cases raise awareness on the risk of a person going missing and give information on how to manage this risk. The intended audience is persons living with dementia and their care partners.
How were the cases were developed?
Eight cases are inspired by the analysis of real missing incidents in Canada, derived from MedicAlert Foundation Canada ®, police, and search and rescue reports of missing incidents among people living with dementia. Two additional cases describe experiences of persons who are still missing.
Cases developed
Each case ranges from 5-10 pages long with the following format: a person profile and background introducing the person with dementia and their circle of support, how they got lost and were found, if applicable, and steps taken after the incident. The cases are written in a story-based format. Risk management strategies are provided at the end of each case. The cases are titled:
- A public transit user living with Alzheimer’s disease becomes disoriented navigating downtown.
- A friendly woman living with Lewy-body dementia goes missing after walking out of her long-term care home.
- A coffee shop visitor living with frontotemporal dementia goes missing while upset.
- A grandmother with vascular dementia gets lost while driving to an antique shop.
- A fisherman with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease gets lost while biking to visit his friend.
- An outdoor enthusiast with undiagnosed memory changes gets lost while hiking.
- A musician is hesitant to seek help for possible dementia and becomes disoriented walking home.
- An architect with undiagnosed dementia becomes lost in an unfamiliar place.
- A retired pastor living with young onset Alzheimer’s Disease becomes lost while on a walk and is never found.
- A woman living with dementia becomes lost while walking her dog and is still missing.
How to use this booklet
These cases can be used by people living with dementia and care partners to learn about what might happen before, during and after someone with dementia goes missing. Users can read the cases that resonate with them, or they can read the entire booklet. A list of additional resources can be found at the end of the booklet.
