‘Silver Alert’ System Would Provide Federal Coordination to Local and State Efforts to Track Down Missing Seniors / Alzheimer’s Association: 6 in 10 Individuals With Dementia Will Wander / Currently No Federal System Exists that Primarily Targets Missing Seniors
Scranton PA- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) pushed for passage of legislation that would create a nationwide ‘AMBER Alert’ style system for missing seniors. The proposal would create a ‘Silver Alert’ system that would bring federal coordination to state and local efforts to track down missing seniors. Senator Casey will be joined by seniors and advocates for older Pennsylvanians who will discuss the challenges faced by someone dealing with a disease like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 6 in 10 individuals with dementia will wander at some point, yet no federal efforts exist that specifically target seniors.
“This is a commonsense legislation that would bring an approach that’s proven successful for missing children to missing seniors,” Senator Casey said. “The Silver Alert system will bring federal coordination to combat a problem that is becoming more difficult as our population ages and more of our residents struggle with challenges like Alzheimer’s and dementia. I’m hopeful that Congress can move in a bipartisan manner to pass this legislation this year.”
The approach Senator Casey, a member of the Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, supports would create a nationwide network for locating missing adults and senior citizens. The National Silver Alert Act would create a federal program modeled after the AMBER Alert and provide federal coordination and assistance to local and state law enforcement agencies. This legislation is supported by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Elder Justice Coalition, National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs’ Association.
