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NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

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10.2.3 Adults over age 65 – Procedure<br />

The mind-set of a person in cognitive decline is much different than that of other adults.<br />

Therefore, questioning, report-taking, and investigating considerations should be appropriately<br />

expanded.<br />

When an officer encounters an older adult in cognitive decline, he/she should give consideration<br />

to the potential that the individual is lost but is not yet reported missing or is disoriented and at<br />

high risk of becoming lost. While initially coherent, these individuals may subsequently be<br />

recognized as being confused and disoriented. Officers should ask the individual basic questions,<br />

such as:<br />

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Where are you coming from? Where are you going?<br />

What route are you taking to get there? Who are you meeting?<br />

What is your full name and address? What is your phone number?<br />

What day of the week is it? What month is it?<br />

Can you tell me what city and state you are in?<br />

What time is it right now? (Answer should be correct within one hour.)<br />

If the individual does not provide correct answers to these questions, officers should secure the<br />

person at his/her current location and notify the on duty supervisor immediately. If a substantial<br />

degree of confusion and disorientation is identified, the individual should be temporarily detained<br />

in a reasonably comfortable setting and attempts made by officer(s) to locate the individual’s<br />

family. The following procedures should be used in handling adults with cognitive decline:<br />

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Identify yourself as a law enforcement officer and explain why you’ve approached the<br />

person.<br />

Maintain good eye contact.<br />

Speak slowly in a non-threatening, low-pitched voice.<br />

Loudness can convey anger; do not assume the person is hearing-impaired.<br />

Use short, simple words.<br />

Ask “yes” and “no” questions.<br />

Ask one question at a time, allowing plenty of time for a response.<br />

If necessary, repeat your question using the exact wording. People with cognitive decline<br />

may only grasp a part of the question at a time.<br />

Instead of speaking, try non-verbal communication. Prompting with action works well.<br />

Maintain a calm environment, devoid of chaos and excessive stimuli; reduce radio<br />

volume, keep squelch down and avoid use of sirens.<br />

Avoid restraints; confinement may trigger agitation, which may compound confusion and<br />

disorientation. Restraints should be used only as a last resort for the safety of the<br />

individual or others.<br />

Avoid confrontation and correcting the individual.<br />

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