Norfolk Police Encourage Residents to Register for Department’s Alzheimer’s/Dementia Program During Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

NORFOLK — Chief Timothy Heinz would like to encourage community members to sign up for the Norfolk Police Department’s Alzheimer’s/Dementia Awareness Program as part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is recognized each November by the Alzheimer’s  Foundation of America in an effort to heighten awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and show support for the more than 6.2 million Americans living with it. 

In 2017, Norfolk Police created its Alzheimer’s/Dementia Awareness Program as a way for community members to voluntarily identify those with Alzheimer’s/Dementia who live, work, or go to school in the community to assist Norfolk Police during emergency responses. Recently, the program was updated by Norfolk Police Officer Mike Milano.

The program captures information about those with Alzheimer’s/Dementia such as a full description with photos, emergency contact information, likes/dislikes, communication techniques, and other information tailored to each individual to assist Norfolk Police on calls for service.

“Our Alzheimer’s/Dementia Awareness Program is a vital resource that our department uses during emergency responses such as missing person reports or medical calls to ensure that we have accurate, critical information that helps inform our response efforts,” Chief Heinz said. “We encourage anyone with a loved one in the Norfolk community who may be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/Dementia to register them for this program.”

How to Register for the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Awareness Program

Those interested in registering must fill out this form with all mandatory fields completed and provide a recent photograph of the individual they are signing up for the program.

Completed forms and photos can be emailed to Officer Milano at mmilano@norfolk.ma.us or mailed to/dropped off at the following address:

Norfolk Police Department
Attention: Officer Michael Milano
14 Sharon Ave
Norfolk, MA 02056

Once received, a member of Norfolk Police will contact the first Emergency Contact to verify receipt of the registration. Upon verification, the information will be kept on file with Norfolk Police to be used as needed. If the department is unable to confirm with the first emergency contact the information will not be entered.

Norfolk Police encourage those registered to update us periodically as important information changes such as an address change, or a change in emergency contact information. The department also asks for a new photo as the person registered ages.

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