Photo: Kyle Bray/WBZ NewsRadio
MANSFIELD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Mansfield Police Department is looking to lend a helping hand to families with loved ones with Autism or Dementia.
A big issue for families of those with dementia and autism is monitoring them. Mansfield PD Chief Ronald Sellon has a child with autism and he knows the dangers of letting them wander, as well as the cost to prevent it.
“It can add up, especially around this time of year, and it can be so restrictive for families that they need to make a decision as to whether or not they’re going to do that, or they’ve got to put up a fence, or they’re going to find an alarm system, or something along those lines,” said Sellon.
To help fix this problem, Sellon was able to secure $10,000 in grant funding to help families in need of monitoring a loved one with dementia or autism. That money would be used to cover fees for the equipment, like GPS or radio tracking devices.
“What you find often times, is that it’s the families that need the most assistance that have the least amount of time to provide towards that, so this is our way of trying to provide a little bit more support,” said Sellon.
While these tracking devices can be lifesaving, they can also be a financial burden, costing up to $500-600 before fees. While there is money to help, Sellon said the next step is letting families know they are available.
“As a father of a child with special needs, you don’t want to reach out, because you don’t want to bother the world, so to speak. But at the same time, there are resources, and there are people that are willing to take that extra step or go that extra mile for you,” said Sellon.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.