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Highlands Today

Bill Would Create Silver Alerts For Lost Seniors

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By BILL RETTEW

Highlands Today

Published: August 2, 2008

SEBRING - A pair of Florida state representatives noticed that Amber Alerts help find missing kids and wanted to in turn aid missing senior citizens.

The state representatives want to piggyback on the success of the Amber Alert program and issue "Silver Alerts" for wandering Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers.

Rep. Kurt Kelly, R-Ocala, and State Rep. Tom Anderson, R-Dunedin, plan to file a bill during the regular session of the Florida House of Representatives, to speed up searches for lost Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers, Kelly told Highlands Today.

By getting the word out quicker and searching in smaller concentric circles - closer to home - we can find someone before something happens, Kelly added.

James Bank, director of Kenilworth Care and Rehabilitation Center, said Thursday that Silver Alerts were a great idea, especially in rural settings, since no care center can protect every patient 100 percent of the time.

"Nursing homes don't have bars on the windows or doors," said Bank. "We're not a prison."

Paul Hinman, crime prevention practicioner for the Highlands County Sheriff's Office, said that about six to 10 seniors wander away from home or a care facility each year in the county.

"Very few get into trouble, but it's good to get the dogs out sooner to track," said Hinman. "Especially if they're on foot. The closer to where they wandered away from, the quicker we can retrace their steps."

Rep. Denise Grimsley wrote in an e-mail on Wednesday that it was difficult to comment on legislation that has not been filed.

"The concept, however, is a good one and one I believe would be supported," Grimsley wrote."(It's a) very vulnerable population, that is those that suffer from dementia.

"Statistics have shown that those with dementia missing over 24 hours either suffer serious injury or death.This type of program would also reduce the strain on local law enforcement manpower, not to mention the pain and suffering of family members."

Bank and Grimsley, who also is a nurse, wondered about the funding.

"The major questions to be answered are how much will it cost and who will pay for it?" wrote Grimsley."With the declining sales tax revenue, it will be difficult; however, not necessarily impossible."

"There are a lot of good ideas, but ultimately who pays for it?" asked Bank.

Eight states already have enacted alert systems for seniors. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, introduced a bill to create $5.6 million of federal funding for states to individually establish Silver Alert systems. That bill passed the Judiciary Committee.

At the same time, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is researching the creation of a statewide system. Drafting of a bill by Anderson and Kelly might not be needed, unless statewide legislation was required to secure any federal funding.

Kelly said much of the mechanism for a Silver Alert system is already available.

"If the infrastructure is not in place, it will soon be in place," said Kelly, when predicting a 2009 roll-out date. "This is not a light issue, particularly in Florida. It's a work in progress."

Several recent initiatives are already helping seniors in the county.

Kim Carroll, director of Balmoral Assisted Living Center in Lake Placid, said each client is photographed.

"If we call and say someone is missing, instead of giving a description of them, the police will have a photograph available on the computers in their cars," said Carroll.

"Safe Return" is a state iniative used locally by the sheriff's office. At-risk Alzheimer's patients wear distinctive bracelets.

"If somebody sees somebody wandering they can call dispatch and we have information, including where they live," said Hinman.

Bill Rettew Jr. can be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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