Proposed Alert System Could Save Lives

Winchester seniors suffering from Alzheimers and dementia could be in line for a new program that could increase their safety and ease the minds of their families.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently passed the Silver Alert legislation. The bill, if approved by the Senate, is an alert system specifically designed for seniors.

If activated, the system would alert the local law enforcement, creating a search unit to help find the missing person.

"This is very important," said Administrator of the Council on Aging. "All the details and procedures are yet to be worked out, but this system will help identify when a senior's gone missing. This would save lives that people care about."

The Silver Alert would be similar to the current Amber Alert system that helps locate missing children. However, the Silver Alert will only focus on the immediate area from where the senior went missing, and is designed with those suffering from either disease. Once the alert is triggered, a reverse 9-1-1 call will go out to the businesses and homes in the area where the senior went missing.

"The Silver Alert program will bring greater safety to citizens with dementia, as well as bring more peace of mind to loved ones and caretakers," said Rep. Jason Lewis, who voted in support of the bill. "The sooner we find those who get lost, the less danger they could face."

According to Lewis, there are about 120,000 people in the state with some form of either Alzheimers or dementia. And approximately 60 percent of those people will wander away from their home.

The legislation, which still needs to explain the procedures and detail exactly how the Silver Alert would work, will require law enforcement to participate in special training in order to be better prepared when alert is initiated.

However, in Winchester, there is already a baseline for the officers and emergency responders in town. The town already has a system called a Wanderer's Alert.

Some seniors with either disease have a bracelet with an identification number. That number is listed with the police department, and if that person does go missing, the police department has their number on file and can help track down the senior.

Even though there is already a system in place, both Young and Lewis know this new alert has the potential to save people's lives.

"I know seniors that function at home quite well, but once they get out into the community they struggle," Young said. "It's bigger, they get lost with all the people. I'm hoping this gets through; it could save lives."