July 21, 2010

 

House Passes Bill to Instate Silver Alert Program

Coordinates Approach to Find Missing Persons with Alzheimer's or Other Forms of Dementia

(BOSTON) - State Representative John P. Fresolo (D-Worcester) today joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation to establish a Silver Alert program to assist in locating seniors with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia who have gone missing.

"With the establishment of the Silver Alert program, we hope to give the families of those with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia peace of mind while facilitating an efficient, effective method for finding their loved ones," House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said.

"The Silver Alert program will comfort families that are taking care, at home, of a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia," said Representative Fresolo. "The program will be a proficient and useful method for locating loved ones who have wandered off."

The Silver Alert program would provide for a coordinated approach to locating an individual with dementia. The bill directs law enforcement and other key response resources to focus in a geographic area consistent with the missing person's last know location.

The legislation requires training for law enforcement and key responders. This training will be incorporated into emergency personnel training that is currently in practice.

Some 120,000 people in Massachusetts have Alzheimer's disease with the number expected to increase by 17 percent by the year 2025.

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