Herbert Protocol form for people with dementia at risk of going missing

People with dementia may sometimes become lost. This is because the condition can affect parts of the brain used for memory, navigation and problem-solving.

As dementia progresses, people may have trouble remembering routes, recognising landmarks or processing new information. They may also become confused about time, which can make even familiar places feel strange. These challenges increase the risk of them going missing.

Carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person, or the person themselves, can fill in a Herbert Protocol form in advance. The form is used to help the police if the person goes missing. It may include information such as places where they used to live, or places where they socialised or worked.

Keeping a completed form means you don’t have to try to remember the information when you are under stress if someone goes missing. And it saves time, so we can start the search sooner.

People with dementia at risk of going missing (Herbert Protocol) | Staffordshire Police