The national program aims to help people with dementia avoid harm. October 20th returns as National KeepSafe Day™.

Doylestown, PA October 14, 2022 –(PR.com)– Dementia Society of America® (DSA) announced the continued expansion of Operation KeepSafe®. This nationwide program helps individuals and families dealing with dementia and incidents of escape and critical trekking. Elopement is when a person with dementia leaves a safe area, typically the home or community in which they live.

“Operation KeepSafe has already had tremendous success in raising awareness, educating the public and providing tools that help prevent or reduce tragic outcomes,” said Kevin Jameson, volunteer, president and founder of the Dementia Society of America. “We are committed to continuing this vital support for people living with dementia and their carers.” A white paper produced by the Dementia Society estimates that the number of people who have died or were never found due to escape and critical wandering is 63,000 each year.

Operation KeepSafe has successfully driven a significant increase in the distribution of medical ID kits that help first responders and Good Samaritans reconnect the person with a family member or responsible party. The KeepSafe iD® kit is available free of charge to those in need and at risk. The kit includes a KeepSafe iD card, an online profile for first responders and others, and other ways to attach or wear ID cards. An online application for a KeepSafe iD kit is available at operationkeepsafe.org.

As part of Operation KeepSafe, the Dementia Society of America has observed a special day that gives more attention and awareness to this critical issue each year. National KeepSafe Month™ spans the whole of October, and National KeepSafe Day™ is October 20, or “10-20” – a date that corresponds to the “10-Code” signals used by first responders, where the specification “10-20” translates as “position” – and…