Where Did Dad Wander Off to Now?
Alzheimers Caregivers Note: New “Silver Alert” Program Reunites Maryland Families
On a brisk Sunday in November, Clyde Franken met up with his father just before dawn to bag a deer or two with bow and arrow. Arthur Franken, 84, had hunted with his son for more than 50 years. It was second nature to him, even though he was showing early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. By noon they had brought down a 120-pound buck and secured it in Clyde’s truck. “Go pick up Mom and we’ll dress it this afternoon at my place,” Clyde said. By 3 p.m., Clyde got worried and called his mother. “No, Dad isn’t home yet,” she said. Clyde reassured her that he knew what to do. Now, thanks to United Seniors of Maryland and other citizens, he did.
He called 911 and—in addition to his father’s name, physical description and condition, vehicle information, and where he was last seen—provided names and numbers of his father’s doctors, a list of establishments his father frequented, and the phone numbers and addresses of other relatives and close friends. Within minutes an emergency alert went out to all of Maryland’s police departments and 911 centers. The State Highway Administration posted a description of Arthur Franken, his truck, and plate numbers on overhead highway signs, and broadcast the “Silver Alert” on all police radios. It wasn’t long before news media across the state picked up the information.
Police and ordinary citizens began scouring the area. Their response would never have been so swift before the Silver Alert Law (PDF) passed in October 2009. The law requires police to notify the state’s Silver Alert coordinator whenever an elderly person who suffers from a cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s or other dementia, goes missing in a vehicle. The law could hardly be more timely. As the country ages, an estimated sixty percent of people with dementia or similar impairments will wander away at some point. And it works. The day after the alert was issued, a Baltimore Gas and Electric employee found Arthur Franken in his truck in Baltimore. He was a little disoriented, but in good condition.
MissingPatient.com allows relatives to expedite the Silver Alert process by registering their loved ones for free online. MissingPatient stores their essential information, as well as photographs, and makes it available to local police and hospitals.
In addition, dozens of tracking devices can be bought to monitor loved ones’ movements. They include bracelets, cell phone applications, vehicle trackers, and microchips that can be implanted in sneakers or jewelry. If a person goes missing who does not meet the criteria for a Silver Alert (if he or she is not in a vehicle, for example), caregivers are advised to file a missing person’s report with their local police. The Maryland State Police have access to search helicopters, bloodhound teams, and specially trained search teams that find dozens of missing persons each year.
For more specific advice about Alzheimers caregiving or dementia support, contact us to talk to an expert.
Additional resources:
- Click here to download the Silver Alert Program pdf.
- To read more about tracking devices, check out http://www.alz.org/comfortzone/
- For information on tracking devices, check out http://www.lojack.com/safetynet/Pages/index.aspx
- For more on GPS shoes, check out http://www.gpsshoe.com/
[Names and other details in this article have been changed for privacy.]
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