Press Room: Relief/New Program

Council on Aging of West Florida Holds "Take Me Home"Registration

Pensacola, Fla. - The Council on Aging of West Florida will host an opportunity to register for the Pensacola Police department’s new "Take Me Home" program on Thursday, May 13 from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. "Take Me Home" is a new computer based program designed to assist law enforcement officers in helping elderly, people with disabilities and their families. People who live within, or often visit, the Pensacola city limits are encouraged to use the system if they have a relative who might wander away from home and not be able to return on their own. There is not cost to register or participate in the program. The Council on Aging is located at 21 S. Tarragona Street.

The "Take Me Home" program is simple: A photograph and emergency contact information are entered in the "Take Me Home" database. If an officer encounters someone who seems to need help but is unable to communicate effectively, they can check the database, see if the person is listed there, and then take them home. The program is currently designed for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of related dementia, autism and Down syndrome.

The Council on Aging of West Florida is a partner with the Pensacola Police Department in the "Take Me Home" program. For more information on the program, please contact Officer Jimmy Donohoe of the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 436-5416 or the Council on Aging at (850) 432-1475.

6/30/2005