Dementia Medical ID Cards: The Ultimate Guide

This guide is for anyone who cares for or lives with someone who has dementia and wants one simple, proven way to keep them safer if they ever become confused, lost, or upset while out alone.

It solves the single biggest fear most families have: “What if they wander and can’t tell anyone who they are or how to get home?”

By the time you finish reading you’ll know exactly which card is right for your situation and budget, see the exact wording on every card, and understand why thousands of UK families trust The Card Project UK.

Why Dementia Medical ID Cards Save Lives

Every 3 minutes someone in the UK develops dementia. Around 60–70% of people living with dementia will wander at least once. When it happens, the person often can’t give their name or address. Strangers and police don’t always realise it’s dementia.

A clear, credit-card-sized medical ID turns panic into a quick phone call home. That’s why Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and every major charity strongly recommend them.

How often do people with dementia go missing?

UK missing-person charities reported over 35,000 cases of people with dementia going missing in 2024 — many multiple times. A visible ID card cuts search time dramatically.

Do the police look for medical ID cards?

Yes. Every police force in the UK now trains officers to check pockets, wallets and necklaces for medical information first.

The 4 Types of Dementia Medical ID Cards We Sell

You have four budget-friendly choices. All are credit-card size (86 × 54 mm), made from biodegradable plastic, printed double-sided (except Awareness Cards), and dispatched next working day from the UK.

Premium Dementia Photo ID Card
£10.99
Best when the person still looks very much like their photo and goes out regularly.

Front

Large colour photo

Full name

Fixed message: “Dementia is a progressive brain disorder affecting memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform everyday activities. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Back

• Smaller colour photo

• Signature strip (makes it feel more “official”)

Dementia Photo ID Card
£7.99 (our most popular)

Front

• Colour photo

• Full name

• Fixed wording: “I have been diagnosed with Dementia. I may appear confused, upset or frightened. If I am on my own then I might be lost. Please call my emergency contacts on the back of this card. Thank you for helping me.”

Back

• Space for two emergency contacts (name + phone number)

Dementia ID Card – No Photo
£7.99 Exactly the same wording and layout as the photo version, just without the picture. Ideal if the person refuses photos.

Front

• Full name only

• Same long message as the photo version above

Back

• Space for two emergency contacts

Dementia Mono ID Card
£4.99 Black and white only, no photo. Perfect spare or tight budget.

Front

• Name in black text

• Same long message as the two £7.99 cards

Back

• Space for two emergency contacts

Dementia Awareness Cards – £4.99 each

These are the simplest, most affordable way for someone living with dementia to let others know they may need help — without giving away any personal details.

They are single-sided with a fixed, simple message on the front “I Have Dementia". There is no name, photo, or contact information, making them completely anonymous.

They offer a discreet way to communicate the need for patience and support. People often choose an Awareness Card when they want a low-cost, non-personal option to keep as a spare, or prefer a softer, less medical-looking design that still delivers the message quickly.

Current designs:

• Fading Memories

• Memory Bench

• Forget-Me-Not

• Blue Glow for men

• Purple Glow for women

Which Card Is Right for You? Simple Decision Guide

Answer these three questions:

Does the person ever go out without you?
→ Yes → Choose one of the four double-sided ID cards
→ No → Awareness Cards for carers and supporters

Will they accept a photo on the card?
→ Yes → Premium (£10.99) or standard photo (£7.99)
→ No → No-photo (£7.99) or Mono (£4.99)

Budget?
→ Up to £11 → Premium
→ Around £8 → Photo or no-photo version
→ £5 or less → Mono or Awareness Cards

Real Questions Families Actually Ask

Will strangers actually read the card?

Yes. We've heard from families who said their loved one was brought home safely within an hour as they had a medical card.

What if the person won’t carry a card?

Keep spares in coat pockets, handbag, attached to keys, or even sewn inside a coat.

Do the police accept them?

Absolutely. They are not “official” documents, but the clear message means police, paramedics and hospitals use them every day.

Can I add my local Safe Place Scheme or Herbert Curlew Trust details?

Yes — just type the name and phone number into one of the emergency contact boxes on the back.

Is a GPS tracker better?

Trackers are great but cost hundreds of pounds plus monthly fees. A £7.99 card is cheap, instant backup that never runs out of battery.

My dad keeps throwing cards away

Try the Premium version with the signature strip - it feels more important and more familiar due to the signature strip

How to Order in Under 3 Minutes

• Pick your card

• Upload photo (if you chose a photo version)

• Type the name exactly as you want it

• Add up to two emergency contacts

• Checkout — dispatched next working day (Monday–Friday)

UK postage starts from 99p. Full worldwide shipping prices on our delivery page.

Common Mistakes That Make Cards Useless

• Writing contacts in pencil (fades fast)

• Only putting one phone number

• Leaving the card at home “to keep it nice”

• Forgetting to update when numbers change

• Choosing “no photo” when the person still looks like their picture

Information Guides – Free Supporting Resources

We’ve written clear, practical guides specifically for families affected by dementia. You can read them all here:

Dementia Understanding Types Prevention and Medical ID Cards Role

How A Replica Credit Card And Driving Licence Can Help Someone Living With Dementia

FAQ: Your Dementia Medical ID Card Questions Answered

What is the best dementia card to buy?

The £7.99 Dementia Photo ID Card is our bestselling card year after year because the photo and clear message gets the fastest help.

Should I choose the Premium £10.99 version?

Yes if the person still closely resembles their photo and visits busy places like supermarkets or town centres.

What if the person with Dementia refuses to carry anything?

Start with Awareness Cards for the people around them, then try slipping an ID card onto keys or into a coat pocket.

How quickly do you dispatch?

We aim to dispatch all orders within 24 hours of the order being placed (Monday–Friday).

Can I order from anywhere in the UK or overseas?

Yes — we ship worldwide.

Do you make separate cards for Alzheimer’s

Yes we do, you can find our Alzheimer's range right here Just like our Dementia range we make medical ID cards and awareness cards for Alzheimer's.

The Biggest Takeaways

• 6 out of 10 people with dementia will wander at some point — a card prepares you

• A £7.99–£10.99 card can turn a missing-person nightmare into a quick call home

• Photo cards work fastest, but even the £4.99 Mono card can save the day

• UK next-working-day dispatch means it can be in their pocket tomorrow

• You’ve already done the hardest part — caring enough to look for a solution

Ready for real peace of mind? → Choose your Dementia Medical ID Card now — dispatched tomorrow (The Card Project UK – helping families since 2011)