Jan 31 2009
Is the “Silver Alert” System a Good Idea?
In Indiana, lawmakers are considering a proposal to implement a “Silver Alert” system to help find missing adults. This would be similar to the “Amber Alert” program for missing children. An article from the Indianapolis Star says there are currently at least 10 other states with similar programs to find missing adults. Some who are against this new legislation fear that extending the program to adults would increase the number of alerts, which could cause people to become desensitized to them.
Anyone with a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer’s or other dementia causing diseases can understand why an alert system for missing or wandering adults would be helpful. Especially as the baby boomer generation ages, there are likely to be more cases where older adults go missing.
A few weeks ago, one of my coworkers was on his way to the office when he came across an elderly woman who had wandered from her home. It was still dark on a cold, rainy morning when his headlights shown on a little old lady standing by the road in her nightgown. The temperature was in the 40’s and she was shivering in her rain-soaked gown. He got her to his car so she would be dry and he could get her some help. She appeared to be suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and she had difficultly controlling her movements and speaking. She told him she thought someone was trying to break into her house so she was trying to get help. She was not able to tell him her name or where she lived, but she did tell him all about her dog Cocoa. He drove her to the closest town and stopped at the fire department. No one was there, but he saw the local bank was open. Thankfully, one of the ladies that worked inside knew the lady and her family. They were able to reunite the woman with her family so she could get back home. He never did find out if anyone had really tried to break into her house.
This story had a happy ending, but other similar situations end in tragedy. I know that we have been very fortunate that the times that my mom has gotten lost she was eventually able to find her way. But what would happen if the dementia was worse and she never could figure out where she was or how to get home? Would a “Silver Alert” system help us find her? Or would people become so immune to constant alerts that no one would pay any attention to them?
I think Silver Alerts are a great idea, and as more people find themselves dealing with parents and loved ones in this situation, more people will become aware of just how important it is. My roommate had a stroke about a year and a half ago that left him with very poor judgment and a tendency to become confused and wander off. I’d bless a system that would put out the word to look out for him if he goes missing.
Thought-provoking article!
I guess it’s a good idea. I’m waiting to see it’s progress and how popular it gets.
Desensitizing due to an abundance of various color alerts could become a problem. I think one solution, at least to the situation you described, could possibly be i.d. bracelets.
I am a runner, and when I go out for a run I make sure that I have my ‘runner’s i.d.’ attached to my shoe. On it is my name and two phone numbers for emergency contacts. You can also include an address or medical conditions. They have ones that come in a bracelet form, dog tag form, or shoe tag (like what I have.)
It may not be a perfect solution, but it could be a way of offering a little peace of mind to the elderly person’s caregivers/relatives.
I’m not so sure about diluting the effect with different color alerts for one reason - people watch out for what matters to them. I almost always notice pink ribbons and purple ribbons, for example, because of what they mean to me. I agree that ID tags are also a good idea but some elders wouldn’t attract any attention and no one would even think to check a tag unless they were alerted to watch out for the person.
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I think it is a good idea in principle. There is a need for something just not sure about all the details…
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Thanks everyone for your comments!
chameleonsdream - You’re right, a wandering adult would not be so obvious, like a lost child would be. I think the alerts would be real handy if the person were driving. I think people would be willing to look out for a certain make/model and plate number while they are driving.
laneerg - Tags would be good if the person had walked off. I don’t think they would be as helpful if the person were driving or had wandered off in a wooded area. Really, it would be great if they had some kind of tracking device attached to them. Come on entrepenteurs, let’s invent an ID bracelet with a micro chip for tracking!
dratiffarid - Good point. I’d like to see some statistics from the states that are using this system. Is it effective? Does it take away from the Amber Alert system? Great - thanks for selecting my blog for advertising this month! I’ve gotten a lot of EC hits today from your site.
slcolman - Yes, I agree it is a good idea in principle. I would like to know more about the criteria and how they would decide when to place an alert. Thanks for tagging me!
I think it’s an excellent idea and should be done across the country. There are many adults here missing and I think if we had that idea in place it would be very beneficial to all.
I think the idea is great! There will be some who will ignore this kind of alert, but those people would ignore anything that did not directly impact them. You are correct that as our population ages, this kind of thing will happen more often. We can only hope that our state and local governments recognize the problem and take action.
a beautiful post with a lovely idea…
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If not the general public then definately emergency crews, police, and hospitals. It’s sad that society can ignore announcements like that if we had more of them. I know that if my 58 year old mother was wandering around alone, someone would contact me.
jodapoet, countrygirl, gazal, and cmaher - Thanks for stopping by and commenting! It’s good to here there’s support out there for programs like this. It will be interesting to see if it passes in Indiana and if other states adopt similar programs.