Building a Flutter Mobile App to Help Emergency Services Identify Vulnerable People with Dementia

A Game-Changer for the Safety of Vulnerable Individuals

In the UK, over 900,000 people are currently living with dementia, a number projected to rise significantly in the coming years. For families and carers, one of the greatest concerns is the possibility of a loved one becoming disoriented and unable to find their way home. Emergency services often struggle to quickly identify and return vulnerable individuals to safety, leading to distress for both the individual and their families.

To address this growing issue, we have developed a cross-platform mobile application using Flutter that allows loved ones to register vulnerable individuals—particularly those with dementia—so they can be recognised using facial recognition technology on a mobile device.

How the App Works

Our innovative solution allows users to upload key identifiable details, including:

Address and emergency contact information

GP details for medical reference

A series of photos to enhance recognition accuracy

This information is stored securely and is accessible to emergency services, event organisers, and members of the public who may encounter someone who appears lost or disoriented. By scanning a person’s face through the app, users can instantly retrieve their information and help reunite them with their loved ones.

Why This Matters

Currently, identifying lost or disoriented individuals can be an arduous process, often involving:

Relying on verbal communication, which may be difficult if the person is non-verbal or confused

Checking missing person reports, which is time-consuming

Using traditional ID cards or wristbands, which can be lost or removed

Our app eliminates these barriers, allowing for instant identification and assistance, significantly reducing the time it takes to reunite individuals with their families and ensure their safety.

Future Expansion: Enhancing Safety with Technology

While our current focus is on facial recognition for identification, we have ambitious plans to expand the app’s capabilities. Our next initiative includes:

Integration with wearable radios and tracking devices to alert loved ones if an individual strays beyond a designated safe zone.

Community alert systems that notify nearby users if a registered person is found, enabling faster assistance.

Collaborations with care homes and hospitals to integrate this system into existing patient tracking tools.