Project Lifesaver(R)
Help for Those Who Wander
The Problem
- Over 70% of people with dementia will wander.
- Survival rates drop to 50% if the person is not located within 24 hours.
- Those not found usually succumb to exposure to extreme temperatures, lack of prescription medications, or dehydration.
Most of us don’t want to entertain the thought of our loved ones getting lost, never mind the possibility of not being found.
But because wandering is such a common behavior in persons with dementia, anyone with Alzheimer’s disease is at risk.
The Solution
Project Lifesaver is a program offered by the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County in coordination with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler Police Department, Bullard Police Department, and Lindale Police Department.
Project Lifesaver is a proven tracking system based on radio technology that is responsible for the rescue of over 4,290 people to date in the United States.
If you are interested in registering your loved one in the Project Lifesaver program, contact our office for more information.
Contact: Katie Tucker
katie@alzalliance.org
903-509-8323
Project Lifesaver: What Should I Expect?
Participants in the Project Lifesaver program wear a waterproof transmitter bracelet that emits a radio signal unique to the wearer. If it is necessary to report a loved one missing, the device can be tracked by law enforcement using a corresponding receiver.
The national average time to locate a missing person using Project Lifesaver is only 30 minutes!
Enroll in the program to receive
- necessary equipment to check your bracelet daily
- bi-monthly battery changes by Alzheimer’s Alliance staff or volunteers
- annual registration in the Project Lifesaver database used by law enforcement
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by enrolling your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive challenge in the Project Lifesaver program.
Learn more about Project Lifesaver.
Register your loved one in Project Lifesaver in the East Texas area by contacting Jamie Huff at the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County.
Project Lifesaver Downloads
Why Radio Transmission?
Cell and GPS technology fail when in remote areas and/or may not transmit data. Radio transmission is tried and true. The Project Lifesaver (PLS) program uses radio transmission.
- It is NOT based on cell service or GPS technology.
- It is NOT a “Life Alert” necklace or button.
- Caregivers do NOT use an app to track a loved one on a phone or computer.
PLS Battery Life
The PLS bracelet emits a signal every second the battery is working. Battery life is two months. Volunteers from the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County are assigned to PLS participants and go to the home to change the battery when due.
“It means everything to the families of the Day Club clients to have their loved one come here. There’s so much responsibility on the caregiver, and it means everything to them to know their loved one is going to have fun and come home happy.”
How Do I Report a Missing Person?
Call 911.
- If a PLS participant is missing, the caregiver calls 911 to report.
- Dispatch then calls out law enforcement officers who are trained to search using the specialized digital equipment.
The average location time is 30 minutes or less.
Each county’s Sheriff’s Office decides if they want to participate in PLS. Our PLS program covers Smith County only.
If the participant is going to travel outside of the county, please check with the Sheriff’s office in the county you will visit to make sure they participate and have the equipment to search for individuals participating in Project Lifesaver.
If you know of a county that does not participate and they would like to know more, please have them call Jamie Huff or visit www.projectlifesaver.org.
Prevent Wandering
The following suggestions may help keep your loved one from wandering.
What to Do For Your Loved One
- Do not leave a person with dementia unsupervised.
- Ensure your loved one is well-fed, well-hydrated, and using the bathroom regularly.
- Look for changes in behavior patterns.
- Consult with a physician to see if medications can help.
- Set a daily routine that includes recreational activities—music therapy, physical exercise, jigsaw puzzles—to lessen boredom.
- Reduce environmental stimuli like loud music or overcrowding.
What to Do In Your Environment
- Secure doors and gates in ways that make them difficult to open.
- Add electronic chimes or buzzers so a caregiver is alerted if the individual attempts to exit.
- Identify bathrooms and other rooms with colorful signs to re-orient individuals.
- Place a black mat or paint a black space by an exit, which may appear to be an impassable hole to those with dementia.
- Put away essential items, such as your loved one’s coat, shoes, pocketbook, or keys since some will not go out without certain articles.
