ABSTRACT
According to the Office of National Statistics (2015), more than 10 million people in the UK were aged 65 or over in 2013, which will increase to 19 million people by 2050. One in six people over the age of 80 in the UK lives with a form of dementia. However, there are more than 40,000 people under the age of 65 with dementia (Alzheimer’s Society, 2013a). Individuals with dementia-related diseases are at risk of going missing, especially if they are physically robust but have a poor topographical memory (Alzheimer’s Society, 2013b). Given their vulnerability, it is imperative that these individuals are found quickly before they succumb to injury, existing health problems or the elements. This chapter will examine the association between dementia and going missing and will discuss investigative and search strategies. Prevention strategies such as community first responders and tracking equipment will also be discussed, along with the ethical considerations involved.
