Missing Older Adults...Learn about what you can do and what's being done in Calgary.

The Calgary Missing Older Adult Resource Network has launched a public awareness campaign. Key goals of the campaign are to:

• Provide resources for people at risk of going missing and their caregivers
• Encourage the public to act if they see an older adult who might be lost or confused
• Celebrate the collaboration of 14 organizations working together to tackle this complex issue since 2015

The Resource Guide for People at Risk of Going Missing is a tool for people at risk, their families, friends, and caregivers. This resource is a product of work begun by a grassroots initiative started by a group of seniors which grew into a formal collaboration working to address the issue of missing older adults. 

 “This initiative grew out of Calgary's Age Friendly Strategy, and we are excited to be part of the collaboration working to support older adults and their caregivers in our communities," said Mayor Gondek.

 By 2042, the number of seniors in Calgary will grow to more than 280,000, at which point they will comprise 15% of Calgary’s total population. As people age, they can become more vulnerable – facing challenges with memory, the ability to find their way and problem solve. Vulnerable older adults can go missing anytime, anywhere and it can be a life-or-death situation. 

“It’s so important to put something in place in advance” says Roger Marple who lives with dementia. “60% of us will go missing at some point and we need to take action to prevent a terrible outcome.” 

 “When any person is reported missing, it’s an emergency. Our officers are quick to respond to calls for service for reported missing persons and oftentimes many areas of the Service assist with search efforts to ensure citizens are found as quickly as possible,“ says Police Chief Neufeld “We are pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort to help educate the public and provide resources to families and caregivers.”

 Calgary Fire Department’s Ken Uzeloc states “As our city’s population grows, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of older Calgarians. All Calgary Fire Department members are trained to identify signs and symptoms exhibited by at-risk members of our community. When we see these signs, we try to provide them with any helpful resources available. “

 The Resource Guide, a video filmed in Calgary highlighting the importance of taking action and complete list of community partners can be found by visiting www.missingseniors.ca