HomeSafe helps people at risk of wandering or getting lost
A tracking bracelet can help locate and rescue children, adults, and elders.
When someone you love has autism, Alzheimer’s, Down syndrome, dementia or other cognitive disorders, the chance increases this person may wander away and become lost. The Brookline Center’s HomeSafe program, offered in partnership with the Brookline Police Department, can help bring them home safe and sound.
HomeSafe participants wear a SafetyNet™ Bracelet which has a transmitter that can emit a radio signal. When someone goes missing, a caretaker can call 911 to alert the police right away. The police notify SafetyNet, whose staff activate the bracelet, track the radio signal, and locate your loved one quickly. The bracelet is waterproof, lightweight, and even works in densely wooded areas or in buildings. Police following up on this location information are trained in techniques for approaching people with cognitive conditions to make the experience reassuring and safe.
The National Autism Association notes that nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior, with risks increasing for those with more severe autism. Some of these children are unable to communicate their name, address, or phone number. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that over half of people with dementia may wander and can become disoriented, even in familiar places. HomeSafe offers an added layer of protection for those who wander–and peace of mind for caregivers.
