Most people are familiar with the AMBER alert system, which was created in 1996 to notify the public when a child is abducted. But fewer people have heard of the Silver Alert. Often used for missing senior adults, it’s making headlines in Michigan right now as senators look to follow in the footsteps of other states who have similar programs in place. Find out more below about what a silver alert is, why the system is so important and what families and caregivers should do if an elderly adult goes missing.
What is a silver alert and how does it work?
There are a few different types of silver alerts that are used for missing persons. This usually includes law-enforcement personnel taken against their will, an individual with a developmental disability (or mental illness) or an adult over the age of 60 who is suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairments.
The alert generally includes a physical description, photo of the person, vehicle description (if applicable), home location and last known location.
Like an Amber Alert, the notice can be sent or displayed in a variety of ways such as on roadway signs, on the radio or via messages sent to cell phones. Once law enforcement or family members have located the missing person, the alert ends.
Why silver alerts are crucial for seniors with dementia
When an older adult with cognitive impairment leaves home, it can cause great stress for family and caregivers who worry about their safety.
“I work closely with families whose loved ones have Alzheimer’s and a common symptom of the disease is increased disorientation and wandering, especially in the evening hours,” says Neisha Garcia, RN, a certified dementia practitioner at Remo Health, a virtual dementia care provider. “Many families who care for them are afraid they may wander away from home and be unable to navigate their way back.”
But the implementation of silver alerts means both citizens and law enforcement officials can be on the lookout for the individual before any harm occurs.
“Silver alerts are very important because they provide a rapid, coordinated response,” adds Sheila Davis, senior vice president of operations at Always Best Care, a national provider of home-care services. “Time is of the essence. The faster the response, the better the outcome.”
Which states have silver alert systems?
Currently, there are 27 states in the country who have silver alert systems.
They are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Nine other states (Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio and West Virginia) have similar systems in place. They are not formally known as silver alerts, however, and are referred to by other names.
How to prepare for a silver alert emergency
If an at-risk senior goes missing, a quick response is crucial. A good starting place is to begin searching for them immediately in the area where they were last seen.
“If they’re unable to locate them within 15 minutes, call 911 to file a missing person’s report,” says Garcia. “When filing, notify law enforcement that the missing person is a ‘vulnerable adult’ right away. Be sure to include the person’s age and specific diagnosis, such as Alzheimer’s disease, so law enforcement can be aware of the urgency of the situation.”
In order for the situation to qualify for a silver alert, the missing senior must meet certain criteria established by the state, such as age (being over 60) and having cognitive impairment.
An important note: “Individuals cannot activate a silver alert themselves; it can only be initiated by authorized law enforcement agencies,” says Princella Seymour, CEO and founder of Complete Elder Solutions.
Once officials have received all of the necessary information and deem the situation eligible for a silver alert, they will make it happen.
Though it’s impossible to prepare for such a situation, there are ways you can be ready should you ever need to utilize the system.
“Families can also prepare in advance by registering their loved one with local programs (when available), keeping updated medical information and photographs on hand and working with senior care providers or community organizations that are familiar with how to access these alert systems quickly in an emergency,” advises Davis.
What if your state doesn’t have a silver alert?
In the event that an elderly adult goes missing in a state without a silver alert program, experts say the steps you take should be similar to that involved with a silver alert. However, more effort will be required since there will be no formal and immediate broadcast to the public.
Once you have checked places the seniors frequents and cannot locate them, contact law enforcement immediately. You may also want to consider completing a Herbert Protocol form, suggests Seymour. This document contains detailed information about the individual’s vulnerabilities to help police locate them quickly.
“Inform the community by providing a detailed description of their clothing, the last known location and their physical appearance,” she adds. “Reach out to family, friends and neighbors right away and use flyers and social media to spread the word quickly. Act fast—time is critical.”
Taking precautions in advance is also key, especially if your state doesn’t have a formal system in place.
“I teach the families I work with to be as prepared as possible,” says Garcia. “We take a proactive approach by discussing safety measures for prevention, such as home safety alarms, using GPS tracking systems and updating friends and neighbors with contact information in the event that the person with dementia is observed to be unaccompanied.”
Knowing what to do if an at-risk senior adult goes missing can ensure they are safe and found quickly.
