The Government of Ontario has announced $600,000 in funding to help the Alzheimer Society of Ontario to deliver their “Finding Your Way” program. Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek announced the funding today alongside members of the Alzheimer Society Elgin-St. Thomas, Elgin County OPP, St. Thomas Fire Department, St. Thomas Police and STP Chief Chris Herridge.
The “Finding Your Way” program is a wandering prevention program that provides tools and advice to individuals to help recognize and reduce the risk of someone with dementia wandering off and going missing, while also supporting a safe return home if a incident were to occur.
The funding will be split up between 29 Alzheimer Societies throughout Ontario, with our local branch receiving $15,000.
Public Education Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society Elgin-St.Thomas, Maggie Scanlon says the money will go towards educating the public and local first responders about the dangers people with dementia face when they go missing.
Scanlon says that with being in such a rural county, it heightens the dangers even more.
Scanlon adds that a portion of the funding will be going towards their “Finding Your Way Corn Maze” that took place earlier this month.
