Margaret MacAndrew

The aim of this program of research was to make recommendations for a standardised approach to reporting a missing person with dementia in Australia. The study has been conducted in three stages: 

1) a review of literature and websites to explore best practice for reporting a missing person with dementia and exploration of current understanding of how to report a missing person

2) seek lived experience experts and public opinion about the best approach to maintaining safety of people with dementia

3) confirm that people living with dementia agree with recommendations made. 

The key findings were: 

Across the states and territories in Australia, there is not a standardised approach to making a report of a missing person with dementia. However, evidence-based procedures for conducting a search for a missing person with dementia are being practiced by Police; over 50% of health professionals and members of the general public, including care partners of people with dementia, do not know how to report a missing person and believe that they must wait 24 hours before reporting a missing person; key recommendations for improving the safety of a person with dementia include: raising awareness about dementia and the risk of getting lost, long term care facilities should have procedures for monitoring at risk residents and the response to a missing person; staff need to practice the procedure; thorough assessment of risk of getting lost is needed early and at regular intervals; and  a public alert system similar to the Amber Alert for children is needed for missing persons with dementia.

At the time of award, Dr MacAndrew had a joint appointment as Lecturer, School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology and Knowledge Translation Research Fellow, Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration.