By Connecticut State Police
(December 4, 2023) — The Connecticut State Police in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association® Connecticut Chapter is announcing “Bring Me Back Home” (BMBH), a new registry for Connecticut residents that allows law enforcement access to information to help find people who are missing or wandering and bring them back to safety and to loved ones.
The “Bring Me Back Home” registry launch will be held on
December 7, 2023 11:00 a.m. at Connecticut State Police Headquarters, 1111 Country Club Road in Middletown.
Wandering can be dangerous and life threatening. If not found within twenty-four hours, there is a much higher probability individuals may suffer serious injury or death. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in ten people living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia will wander. Families are encouraged to register their loved ones with cognitive issues at https://ct.gov/bmbh
The Bring Me Back Home registry will house information and a picture entered by families and is accessible only through the Connecticut On-line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing (COLLECT) criminal justice and safety system. This information will help first responders and families reunite with wandering individuals living with cognitive challenges, such as Dementia or Autism. The information put into the registry is confidential, secure and can be accessed only by law enforcement personnel.
State Police, Alzheimer’s Association staff and caregivers navigating dementia will be available for interviews after the press event. Trooper Daniel Cole and his K9 Ruby will also be in attendance. Trooper Cole was recently awarded a life-saving medal for his work finding a woman with dementia who wandered.
BMBH is a proactive approach, offering first responders quick access to information that will help them search for and connect with the person who is missing. Knowing about their hobbies, former addresses or workplaces, nicknames – will help in communicating with someone who has cognitive challenges. Bring Me Back Home is not for emergencies. If someone wanders or is missing, call 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY, and share that they are registered with the Bring Me Back Home program.
***For more information on wandering and dementia, please go to alz.org/wandering
