Peace of mind for carers of those with dementia in Mid and East Antrim
Thursday 21 May 2026
As a dementia-friendly borough, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is proud to introduce a local Dementia Friendly Safeguarding Scheme to help create inclusive communities.
Through the scheme, residents can receive specially designed wristbands and hang tags free of charge for individuals living with dementia.
The devices support independence and improve safety of those with dementia and use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to securely store emergency contact details for next of kin. This information can be accessed quickly and safely by tapping the device with a smartphone, helping loved ones return home safely.
Speaking about the initiative, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford said: “Thanks to the pioneering approach of Avon and Somerset Police, we can give peace of mind to families and carers of those living with dementia. These simple, effective tools empower our communities to become more dementia friendly and help people living with dementia remain safe and supported within their local area.
“Dementia can affect people aged 30 to 65 and currently in Northern Ireland around 25,000 people are living with the condition. It is easy for a loved one to become disoriented or lost, and when wearing one of these wristbands or hang tags, a friendly neighbour can help get them home safely.”
If a person living with dementia is found in distress or confused, members of the public can easily recognise the wristbands or hang tags and take action. A simple smartphone tap lets them contact the next of kin and reunite the individual quickly with their family or carer.
The Dementia Safeguarding Scheme is a joint initiative between Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
For more information about the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme, how to use NFC or to register for a device, visit our Dementia Friendly MEA section.