A NEW scheme being rolled out in Lancashire will give peace of mind for people with dementia and their families by using smartphone technology.

Under the Guardian Angels Dementia Buddies scheme, a person living with dementia wears a device containing NFC (Near Field Communication), which is technology already installed in mobile phones.

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If the person is lost, the device can be scanned with a smartphone providing contact details to enable they are returned home safely.

Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Lancashire Constabulary are supporting the ntroduction of the scheme in the county.

The scheme has been developed by Mark and Karen Aldred, founders of the charity the Good Deeds Trust and has already been successfully piloted in Wigan.

Mr Aldred said: “One of the biggest fears of carers of people with dementia is that their loved ones will forget where they live or where they are.

“We have developed a number of devices including a wristband, pin badge and keyring which the person with dementia can keep with them at all times.

“If you spot any of the Guardian Angel dementia buddy devices on someone who is lost or confused, swipe your mobile phone screen and tap the back of your mobile phone onto the device.

“A message will appear on your screen giving the wearer’s first name only and an emergency phone number which you can click on to speak to their carer.” County Councillor Azhar Ali, the County Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing at the county council said: “We are proud to support this scheme which will enable people with dementia to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

“It will provide much reassurance for people with dementia and their families as we know the worry of getting lost is a major concern for them.

“It will also make it much easier for the police in particular and emergency services to identify the person with dementia, so we have been working with them and dementia services staff to deliver training to use the devices.

“We hope that people can also look out for people wearing the devices who may be distressed, and either call the police to assist or help them be returned to their families safely. “ The Guardian Angels Dementia Buddies devices can be obtained through dementia daytime supports services, Adult Social Care Customer Access Service, Older Adult Community Mental Health Teams and Memory Assessment Clinics as well by visiting dementiabuddy.co.uk or on 01942 888990.