This week I have been asked to highlight a situation around our vulnerable elderly. Search and rescue were recently deployed after an elderly male did not return to his Waipa home after walking off. Neighbours reported last seeing him in the early evening.
Deb Hann – Senior Constable
Four search and rescue staff and local station staff were subsequently deployed for a ground search around immediate local area and nearby arterial routes. They were unsuccessful in locating him. While the male was in good health there were naturally concerns due to the male’s age and because was suffering early stage dementia. Publicity around the man was done through social media and local companies, but eventually the search had to be suspended in the wee hours.
The following morning the male was located having gotten himself locked into a commercial yard overnight. Fortunately the night was a mild summer one and he had no ill effects from his adventure. It is possible that members of the public saw the man on his travels and didn’t think to call police.
Elderly people with dementia (and even some illness) can become confused about where they are or where they are going. They sometimes walk for extended periods of time, travelling many kilometres, heading to places they know or have lived at previously in their lives. If you see an elderly person walking alone appearing in a confused state or in circumstances that seem unusual, particularly after dark, please call police. Your call could bring to our attention the location of a missing person, or someone vulnerable who had not yet been reported missing.
Photo by Pixabay
Following on from my handbag theft comments last week, we have also now had reports of purses being stolen from handbags at two churches. It demonstrates that handbags can be targeted by unscrupulous thieves in any setting. I am also hearing reports of elderly people purchasing high value quantities of prezzy cards, almost certainly falling prey to online scammers. We have also had teenagers fall prey to sextortion.
My strong advice to anyone is not to respond to unsolicited messages on social media from anyone you do not know. Be aware of developing a false trust relationship online, when you have no real idea who is at the other end of the keyboard. I can guarantee that in many cases, the profile picture, name and other details likely do not bear any resemblance to the reality.
Let’s look out for each other and be cybersafety aware too. Have a good week.
