Silver Alert for Alzheimer and Dementia Patients

Fifteen states now have Silver Alert programs designed to spread the word as quickly and widely as possible when a dementia or Alzheimer patient wanders away. The Silver Alert is similar to the Amber Alert program for missing children but focuses on  cognitively impaired adults.

The Alzheimer’s Association reports 5.3 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease. About sixty percent of dementia patients will wander away from their caregivers at least one time. Because of their fragile health, wandering can be fatal.

The states with Silver Alert programs are: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Legislation to set up a national Silver Alert system has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and awaits Senate action. If the Silver Alert Act becomes law, it would provide resources for federal coordination and assist local and state law enforcement agencies in creating search-and-rescue programs that apply to the unique needs of people with dementia. 

Because of the aging baby boomers, the Alzheimer’s Association says there is a new case of Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds.

Call or write your state senators to show support of the Silver Alert Act on behalf of all dementia and Alzheimer patients.