Article archive / August 1, 2016
Originally published: . Volume 7, No. 8. Source pages: 13.
Dr. Karen Kopera-Frye Helps Police Learn about People with Dementia
Dr. Karen Kopera-Frye, Biedenharn Endowed Chair and Professor in Gerontology, and Dr. Attapol Kuanliang, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, conducted a training experience for multijurisdictional public safety units in June, as reported in the ULM News service.
The training was part of a U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance federal grant awarded to Drs. Kopera-Frye and Kuanliang. The work is titled, “Project Found: Fostering Officer and University Networking for Dementia.”
According to the ULM report, over 35 deputies, officers, EMS staff, and other agents from across northeast Louisiana attended the training which helps first responders become aware of the issues with people they encounter who are suffering from dementia.
“The purpose of this federal grant is two-fold: 1) to train law enforcement and first responders on how to interact with elders they may come across wandering from dementia; and 2) to enroll loved ones suffering from dementia with Medic-Alert type free bracelets so they can be returned home quickly and safely.”
The training has been developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) said the report. It involves: sharing information about Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), communication strategies for public safety when encountering an elderly person who is suffering from AD, information about search and rescue strategies to find a missing person who suffers from AD. And also a section on community resources to support public safety endeavors.
Also according to the report, the workshop included a ‘train-the-trainer’ approach that encourages public safety attendees to share what they have learned with their agency staff.
“We had an overwhelming response and had to turn away individuals, but we will conduct training in early August to meet this need,” Kopera-Frye told ULM News.
“Kopera-Frye and Kuanliang expressed their appreciation to the ULM Police Department for use of the facilities and ULM Police Director Tom Torregrossa and Assistant Director Mark Johnson for working with them on this important project.”
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