MCYS MEDIA RELEASE NO: 23/2008

DATE OF ISSUE: 05/03/2008

5 March 2008

MEDIA RELEASE

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE ASSOCIATION TO LAUNCH

SAFE-RETURN ID CARD FOR SENIORS WITH DEMENTIA

A ‘Safe-Return’ Initiative, by the Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA),

will be implemented in the second half of 2008. Seniors with dementia can be
issued with an identification card, so that the caregivers or the next-of-kin can be
contacted should the seniors lose their way or are found wandering in public.
The card will contain basic information such as the name of the senior and the
next-of-kin’s contact number.

Dementia
2 In 2004, there was an estimated 18,000 people with dementia in
Singapore1. This figure is expected to rise to 27,000 in 2015. The Safe-Return
Initiative aims to protect vulnerable seniors with dementia and other memory
related disorders, in the event that they wander from their site of care.

Identification Card Issuance

3 From the second half of 2008, Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO)
providing dementia care will input the relevant data of known seniors with
dementia into the Developmental Disability Registry2 (DDR) and issue an ID card
to the senior. ADA and National Council of Social Service (NCSS) will work with
service providers that serve seniors with dementia to encourage (or enrol) them
to be a part of the Safe-Return Initiative. Caregivers of seniors who are currently
not registered with any VWO can approach the ADA directly to be issued with the
ID card. The Disability Information and Referral Centre (DIRC) will also assist to
refer cases to ADA for registration.

1
Based on the 2003 Mental Health Survey.
2
Currently, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) maintains the DDR, which captures
critical information of persons with disabilities who are served by VWOs. This database will be
extended to include seniors with dementia.
Safe Return
4 Should the seniors lose their way or are found wandering in public, the
information on the ID card could be used to contact the caregivers, the next-of-
kin or the VWO serving them. In addition, the police can also contact DIRC after
office hours for contact information. This added safeguard will help to protect
vulnerable seniors and reduce caregiver stress. MCYS and NCSS fully support
this initiative.

5 Should families require further care-giving support to manage seniors with

dementia, they can approach ADA for assistance (see below for contact
information).

ISSUED BY

MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS

Background on ADA

The Alzheimer's Disease Association (ADA) was set up in 1990 as a result of

growing concern for the needs of people with dementia and their families. ADA is
a voluntary welfare organisation and is made up of caregivers, professionals and
all who are interested in dementia.

ADA aims to provide quality care for people with dementia and carers, promote
research and programmes for dementia prevention. It provides a range of
services including day care for the elderly with dementia at the New Horizon
Centres (Bukit Batok, Tampines and Toa Payoh); caregiver support service,
support group for carers in English, Mandarin and Malay, and public education
etc.

Spokespersons:

ADA President: Dr Ang Peng Chye Tel: 6732-7557 (O)

NCSS Deputy CEO: Ms Tina Hung Tel: 6210-2512 (O)

NCSS press contact: Ms Cheng Lay Tin Tel: 6210-2633 (O)

Useful Contacts:

ADA website: http://www.alzheimers.org.sg/index.htm

ADA helpline: 6353-8734
ADA email: alzheimers.tp@pacific.net.sg

DIRC website: http://www.disability.org.sg/schemes/

DIRC helpline: 1800-347-2222
DIRC email: dirc@disability.org.sg