Missoula Police Promote Safety Program for Caregivers

Caregivers can now register individuals with dementia or autism to help police assist them during emergency encounters.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Alzheimer’s

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of two glowing lanterns on a wall, representing a sense of safety and community care. — The Missoula Police Department has launched the Take Me Home program to help officers quickly assist residents with autism or dementia during emergency encounters. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you trust local police with personal information to help identify your vulnerable family members?

The Missoula Police Department is encouraging caregivers to enroll in the voluntary Take Me Home program. This initiative allows residents with conditions like Alzheimer's or autism to share vital information with local officers to aid in identification and communication during emergencies.

Why it matters

By proactively sharing details with local law enforcement, caregivers can provide officers with immediate, actionable context during stressful encounters. This helps ensure that individuals with communication challenges receive appropriate assistance and can be safely reconnected with their residences.

The Take Me Home initiative functions as a voluntary informational registry maintained by municipal law enforcement. While the system is designed to provide officers with quick access to data during field encounters, the exact success rates of individual reunions remain to be determined.

The players

Missoula Police Department

The local law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining the city's public safety registry for vulnerable residents.

The details

Caregivers register individuals through the official City of Missoula website, providing key information that officers can access during field encounters. When police interact with someone who struggles to communicate or navigate, this database helps officers identify the person and locate their home. The system serves as a bridge between specialized care needs and standard emergency response protocols.

October 28, 2026: Missoula police encouraged caregivers to join the program.

Health Landscape

This registry reflects the growing trend of municipal law enforcement adopting dementia-friendly community standards to support aging populations. It sits within a broader shift toward integrating social support resources into standard public safety and emergency management strategies.

If you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, autism, or other developmental conditions, registering with this local program may facilitate better interactions with police. Discuss the potential benefits of participating in this registry with your family or your loved one’s care team.

The takeaway

Proactive communication with first responders can significantly improve safety outcomes for individuals with cognitive or developmental challenges. Caregivers interested in this resource can manage their loved one's profile through the official city portal to ensure current information is available.