Immediately contact anyone who might know the whereabouts of the elderly person, including relatives, friends, neighbors, and even building security staff. Inquire if they have seen the elderly person
If the elderly person's whereabouts are unknown, the following actions can be taken:
For those who are not registered on the "Joyful Return " website:
1. Please prepare the following information to report to the police station (Note 1):
After reporting to the police station, while waiting for news from the police, caregivers can also register as users of the "Joyful Return" website, create an "Elderly Information Sheet" and "Missing Person Notice" for the missing elderly in real-time, and give the documents to the police as supplementary information. Caregivers can also post the "Missing Person Notice" on their personal social media accounts through this website.
For those who are already registered on the "Joyful Return" website:
2. Log in to the "Joyful Return" website, update and print the "Elderly Information Sheet" created earlier, and give it to the police for reporting the missing elderly. Caregivers can also post the "Missing Person Notice" on their personal social media accounts through this website.
Note 1: According to police recommendations, if family members suspect that an elderly person is missing, they should immediately report to the police for help. There is no need to wait until the elderly person has been missing for 24 hours before reporting.
Note 2: The "Elderly Information Sheet" includes basic information about the elderly person, physical characteristics, activity ability, medical history, and daily living habits. It is recommended to give it to the police for reporting the missing or as supplementary information. The "Missing Person Notice" is more concise, making it easier for caregivers to distribute the missing person information in appropriate places.
Caregivers can disseminate missing person information on their personal social media account, or they can photocopy the "Missing Person Notice" and post it in appropriate places to distribute the missing person information.
Note 3: We can't predict when an elderly person might go missing. Therefore, caregivers should update the elderly person's information and take their recent photos every six months, and prepare the "Missing Person Notice" in advance. In case the elderly person goes missing, this allows for the missing person information to be disseminated as quickly as possible.
If the elderly person usually takes public transport, consider contacting the relevant public transportation authorities and inquire if they can assist in keeping an eye out for the missing elderly person.
If the caregiver has signed the "Authorization Form for Use and Release of Elderly and Emergency Contact Information" from the Hong Kong Society for the Aged (SAGE), they can call 2558 7608 during office hours (Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5:30 pm, except public holidays) to notify our staff. Due to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, SAGE cannot post missing person notices, but will assist in keeping an eye out for the missing elderly person.
