Project Lifesaver

Lanark County

 

Project Lifesaver Lanark County is a partnership between Victim Services Lanark County and the Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police.

This locating program is dedicated to assisting and responding to the challenges faced by caregivers of at risk loved ones who may wander as a result of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism and Down’s syndrome.
This program enhances the probability of the individual’s rescue and makes it possible to reduce the search effort from days and hours to minutes. This timely response is crucial to reduce the potential for injury and saves lives.
This program combines radio technology with a coordinated police response to assist in locating wandering and disoriented loved ones.

How it works

 

Participants registered with Project Lifesaver Lanark County wear a small transmitter on the wrist that emits an individualized frequency signal.
If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies the Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police immediately, and a trained emergency team responds to the wanderer’s area.
The first responders will then use the client’s individualized frequency to locate the position of the individual.
It has been proven that these transmitters are able to track through areas such as concrete walls and heavy forest.

 

Who is eligible

Project Lifesaver Lanark County helps families to protect loved ones who are prone to the life-threatening behaviour of wandering due to cognitive disorders or impairments such as individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, or Down’s syndrome.

• This program applies to those who have a history of wandering or who may wander because of a cognitive disability or impairment.
• Participants must reside in Lanark County.
• Participants must reside with a responsible individual or caregiver caring for them 24 hours a day.
• Participants, their guardians, and/or their substitute decision maker must understand and agree that radio-locating technology used in this program is not intended as a substitute for responsible childcare or caregiver practices.

Application process

Applicants are screened to confirm they meet the Project Lifesaver Lanark County criteria.
Information is provided to the applicant about the program and equipment.
The Project Lifesaver Lanark County team will then meet with applicants to complete registration and gather all necessary documents and paperwork.
There is an initial charge of $600 for the transmitter and a year supply of batteries and bands. After that there is an ongoing annual cost of $50 for batteries and bands.
Subsidies may be available for low-income participants.
Once enrolled in the program, the team will attend your residence to provide the transmitter and explain the reporting procedure if your loved one goes missing. Arrangements will be made with the caregiver to set up follow up appointments to change the participant’s battery and bands regularly, and ensure the device is in proper working order.

For more information about Project Lifesaver Lanark County, or to start the application process, please contact: projectlifesaver@victimserviceslanark.ca