What is the Herbert Protocol? Helping to Keep Loved Ones With Dementia Safe
Learn how the Herbert Protocol can help protect loved ones with dementia. A simple form that saves time and lives when someone goes missing.
At Home Instead Wembley, we understand how worrying it can be when a loved one living with dementia becomes confused or disoriented, especially if they go missing. The Herbert Protocol is a simple but powerful tool that can help reduce the panic and speed up the search process in those critical early hours. It’s something we regularly help implement for our clients who are living with dementia or are at risk of wandering, and we believe more families should know about it.
What Is the Herbert Protocol?
The Herbert Protocol is a national safeguarding initiative supported by police forces across the UK. Named after George Herbert, a war veteran with dementia who sadly died while ‘missing,’ the protocol is designed to help emergency services respond quickly and effectively if a vulnerable person goes missing from their home or care setting.
It involves filling in a simple form containing important information about the individual, such as medical conditions, daily routines, favourite places, habits, and a recent photograph. This form is then kept in a safe place, ready to be handed over to the police if the person is reported missing.
Why Is It Important?
Time is critical when someone with dementia goes missing. The longer a person is missing, the greater the risk to their safety – especially if they are without medication, food, or weather-appropriate clothing. Having the Herbert Protocol form ready means that police and search teams have instant access to vital details that could help locate someone quickly.
Instead of spending precious time trying to remember or collect important information in a moment of crisis, families and carers can simply hand over the completed form. This allows emergency services to get a head start and focus all their efforts on the search.
How We Use It at Home Instead Wembley
As part of our person-centred approach to dementia care, we encourage families to complete the Herbert Protocol as early as possible. We often support clients and their loved ones in gathering the required information and storing it safely. For clients at particular risk of wandering or confusion, this small step can make a world of difference in an emergency.
We also work closely with local services and community networks to raise awareness of the protocol and the importance of early planning. It’s not just about having the form, it’s about knowing where it is, updating it regularly, and being prepared.
What Does the Form Include?
The Herbert Protocol form is straightforward and includes:
– Full name, age, and photograph
– Daily routine and mobility details
– Favourite walking routes or places they might try to visit
– Medical conditions and medications
– Previous addresses or places of work
– Emergency contacts
It can be completed by a family member, carer, or care professional and should be reviewed regularly to keep it up to date.
Where to Find Out More
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, or simply want to be better prepared, we highly recommend downloading and filling out the Herbert Protocol form. It’s free, easy to complete, and could be lifesaving in a crisis.
You can find out more and download the form via:
– The Herbert Protocol Official Website
– Dementia UK – What is the Herbert Protocol?
Let’s Keep Our Community Safe
At Home Instead Wembley, our team is always here to support families living with dementia, from help around the house to specialist dementia care and safeguarding advice. If you have any questions about the Herbert Protocol or want help completing the form for a loved one, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
You can call us on 0208 022 4590or pop into our office for a chat.
Because when it comes to the people we care for, being prepared is one of the most loving things we can do.
