A Word from the CEO in Recognition of World Alzheimer's Day
I would like the opportunity to recognize today as World Alzheimer’s Day.
Nearly 5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease – an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and intellectual function. Approximately 60% of those with Alzheimer’s will wander at some point during the progression of the disease – many of them, repeatedly. The incidence of Alzheimer’s is expected to rise significantly as the nation’s population ages and life expectancies lengthen.
To help combat the growing problem of wandering, Project Lifesaver helps train public safety agencies to conduct search and rescue efforts by using state-of-the-art technology to find missing persons with cognitive conditions who wander, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These efforts have drastically reduced search times, and they have helped find loved ones quicker and easier with an average search time of 30 minutes or less. Project Lifesaver agencies have rescued over 2,000 cognitively challenged individuals successfully with no serious injuries or deaths reported.
Working with the federal government under the Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Assistance program, Project Lifesaver has helped bring on approximately 100 new agencies at a very minimal cost. We have also helped donate a year’s supply of over 500 free transmitters to families needing the protection, but who could not afford to provide it on their own. All this has been made possible through funding provided by the US Department of Justice – Office of Justice Programs – Bureau of Justice Assistance, in cooperation with Project Lifesaver.
Project Lifesaver is striving to stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and will continually evaluate new technologies as they become available. In recognition of today, we hope everyone considers one thing they can do to help make a difference in the life of someone you know with Alzheimer’s disease.
-Gene Saunders