Through various circumstances, people with dementia sometimes come into contact with police officers, paramedics and search and rescue personnel. The situations under which you as a first responder may come into contact with someone living with dementia range from finding a person who is lost, to someone who has been disturbing the peace or has been involved in a criminal activity such as shoplifting. The purpose of the following information is to provide you with strategies on how to recognize, communicate with and respond to someone living with dementia. The purpose of the following information is to provide you with strategies on how to recognize, communicate with and respond to someone living with dementia.