The Attorney General's office announced an important new resource to protect Wisconsin seniors - the statewide Silver Alert program. Similar to an Amber Alert, Silver Alerts will go out by email, text message, or fax through the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network to notify the public that an adult with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other permanent cognitive impairment is missing. Anyone may receive Silver Alerts and Crime Alerts for free by email, text or fax.
According to the Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, at least 116,000 people with dementia reside in Wisconsin, and approximately 60 percent will wander at some point as their condition progresses.
In partnership with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Silver Alerts may be broadcast through television and radio, digital billboards, and lottery display terminals. Alerts may also be displayed on highway digital messaging signs through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Silver Alerts cannot utilize the Emergency Alert System.
Silver Alerts may be issued when the following criteria are met:
The missing person is 60 years of age or older;The missing person is believed to have Alzheimer's, dementia, or another permanent cognitive impairment that poses a threat to the individual's health and safety;There is reasonable belief that the missing person's disappearance is due to the individuals' impaired cognitive condition;The Silver Alert request is made within 72 hours of the individual's disappearance;There is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the missing person.As Alzheimer's and dementia are not limited to those 60 and older, where individuals are missing and at risk but do not meet the criteria for a Silver Alert, the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network (WCAN) can be utilized to send out a Missing/Endangered alert. With the WCAN, law enforcement officers issue alerts at no cost either by fax, e-mail or text message to individuals and business owners. Anyone may subscribe to the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network to receive alerts.
Click here to register and find out more
RESOURCES IN WISCONSIN FOR ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/driver-forms.htm
BDS225 - "Be Safe, Not Sorry" - Public guide for reporting medically-impaired drivers
MV3141 - Driver Condition or Behavior Report - Reporting medically impaired drivers
BDS345 - "Be Safe, Not Sorry" - Older driver workbook
Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin http://www.alzwisc.org
Alzheimer's Association
South Central Wisconsin Chapter http://www.alz.org.scwisc/
Greater Wisconsin Chapter http://www.alz.org.gwwi/
Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter http://www.alz.org.sewi/