Just like an Amber Alert is issued for a missing child, a Silver Alert is sent out for a missing elderly person. It works as an emergency system, decided by law enforcement, to broadcast a statewide alert for missing seniors. In most cases, the alerts are sent out for persons 60 or older, and most victims are mentally impaired and suffer from dementia. About 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s.
This is a great program to protect the senior citizens of our nation who can no longer take care of themselves. Maryland State police used the system for the first time in November 2009 to help locate an elderly man, and it worked. The victim was found safely by a BGE worker on a street corner. The alerts are generally displayed on highway billboards and over local television and radio stations. Please consider registering your family member or friend on line, it provides a safe and secure place to store vital medical information that can be easily accessed in case of an emergency.
Also, you can also request brochures for free of charge to healthcare facilities, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and emergency responder agencies. If you require more than 100 brochures, please contact the corporate office at:
866-840-3639
Tags: amber alert, bge worker, Maryland State Police, program works, register family member, Silver Alert
Success story Silver Alert:
http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Man-at-Center-of-Silver-Alert-Found-Safe/A7iWXhDkdk-8g7vRhYgZSw.cspx
March 23, 2010 – LA FERIA – An elderly La Feria man is home with his family, after missing for nearly a day.
Eduardo Guerrero Sr.’s family reported him missing. The 81-year-old has Alzheimer’s disease.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued a Silver Alert for Guerrero early today. Just minutes later, customs officers and workers at the Progreso International Bridge spotted the truck described in the alert.
CHANNEL 5 NEWS cameras were rolling as officers arrived at the La Feria Police Department with the 81-year-old. An officer had to drive Guerrero’s 1989 gold Dodge truck for him.
Guerrero’s grandson, Juan Islas, credits the Silver Alert for saving the 81-year-old.
“I’m in law enforcement myself. And it really works, especially the Amber Alert,” says Islas. “It works real good, cause it gets information out there quicker. And it helps save lives.”
Silver Alerts are similar to Amber Alerts. DPS issues them for missing Texas residents, who are 65 years or older and diagnosed with an impaired mental condition. If they are not diagnosed with an impaired mental condition, authorities must have reason to believe their health and safety are being threatened. There must also be sufficient information on the person so the public can help locate them.
A law enforcement agency must submit a request for a Silver Alert to the DPS within 72 hours of the person’s disappearance.