Police in New Canaan held informational sessions Thursday on two programs designed to help locate residents with special needs or cognitive disorders like dementia should they go missing.

The programs are Take Me Home and Project Lifesaver..

Take Me Home is a database for those who may need special assistance if they're alone or in an emergency.

Families can provide a picture of their loved one along with a description of their height and weight and emergency contact information. The information can be accessed in a police cruiser or at the police station. If an officer encounters someone who is non-verbal or can't describe where they live, they can search the database and return the person to their family or caregiver.

Project Lifesaver is similar. It helps locate those with cognitive disorders like dementia who are prone to wandering.

Several other police departments including Fairfield, Stratford and Woodbridge have similar programs.

If you'd like information for the Take Me Home or Project Lifesaver sessions, call Officer Annamaria Ceci at 203-989-6050 or email annamaria.ceci@newcanaanct.gov.