Recent AARP studies show that one in every ten older adults has dementia. Additionally, two-thirds of seniors over 65 experience some form of cognitive decline.
This can lead to serious safety risks, but the Silver Alert system helps keep Kansas seniors safe. Read on to learn what this system is and why it's important.
The Silver Alert system is modeled after the US Amber Alert protocol. While Amber Alerts are made to find missing children and bring them home, Silver Alerts are made to locate vulnerable seniors.
To qualify for a Silver Alert, the missing person must meet certain criteria. These criteria usually include:
This protocol is outlined by the Kansas State Legislature in its 2019 Statute.
Silver Alerts are a three-step process.
First, when a vulnerable senior goes missing, the caregiver reports it to the police.
The authorities look into the senior's background. They verify that they meet the criteria for a Silver Alert to be sent out. This kicks off senior safety initiatives like cognitive impairment alerts.
The authorities file the senior as missing and send out a Silver Alert to people residing within the area. These alerts are broadcast via:
The aim is that people will:
This lets the authorities find the person more quickly so they can be brought home safe and sound.
Missing senior alerts contain several types of information.
Authorities will disseminate a description of the missing person. This description will include things like:
Those trying to locate the senior will also include a clear photo of them when available. This leaves no doubt in people's minds that they're seeing the person in the Silver Alert if they encounter them.
Silver Alerts also contain the last known location of the missing person. This helps those in the appropriate area be more vigilant. The alert will also tell people what to do if they spot the person, including:
Some Silver Alerts will also include specific worries family members and caregivers have regarding the person in the alert. They may talk about:
However, this will not always be included.
In addition to promoting a rapid response to the situation, Silver Alerts often come with additional information about the situation. They may offer up a specific case number for the missing person's case to make communication with authorities easier. Hotlines that people can call with anonymous tips may also help bring the person home.
Dementia wandering is the main reason authorities require elderly protection systems.
This happens when someone who has dementia gets lost. Those who suffer from severe cognitive decline often feel confused about where they are and where they're going. This leads to aimless wandering.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, six in ten Americans who suffer from dementia will face this problem at some point.
Dementia wandering doesn't just cause stress and anxiety. It poses a safety risk.
Seniors who are unaware of their surroundings may walk into traffic or trespass onto dangerous properties. They also may go into dangerous areas of the town or city that they're walking around.
They also may neglect their own basic needs while wandering around. This puts seniors with dementia at risk of starvation or hygiene-related health problems.
Silver Alerts are designed to bring these seniors home as soon as possible.
Preventing dementia wandering and other potential problems is the best way to keep seniors safe. Silver Alerts are an effective method of saving vulnerable people who have already gone missing. However, they're a failsafe that you don't want to activate when you can prevent the danger from initially occurring.
To stop dementia wandering in its tracks:
Finding a quality memory care community is the best way to implement these proactive measures.
In memory care, seniors gain automatic access to:
Addington Place of Prairie Village prioritizes dementia safety programs for residents. We take security very seriously to ensure that seniors are comfortable and safe in their well-appointed apartments.
Combined with cognitive exercises and sensory experiences made to keep residents as sharp as possible, these safety measures help to prevent confusion and wandering.
Understanding the Silver Alert system is a crucial part of keeping your aging loved one safe. It can offer peace of mind. However, an assisted living or memory care community can help residents remain safe within its comfortable amenities.
Addington Place of Prairie Village is committed to offering a safe environment for seniors with cognitive decline. Contact us to learn why we're the best Kansas community and schedule a tour of our well-appointed amenities.