The Latham Report: Protecting Alzheimer's Victims with Silver Alerts
Protecting Alzheimer's Victims with Silver Alerts
Washington, July 9, 2008 - Alzheimer's is a terrifying disease. It wreaks havoc in the mind... destroying memories and stealing one's past.
In the early stages of Alzheimer's, patients know what's happening. They face the future, knowing that in a short time they will not recognize their family. They'll forget the good times they've had with their friends; they'll forget where they grew up; they'll lose their most cherished memories. They know that one day they will wake up and not recognize their children from a stranger on the street.
I know this, because my family and I experienced the heart wrenching progression of this horrific disease as we watched my own father suffer through it.
For care takers, Alzheimer's is just as unforgiving. The people we have loved for years don't recognize us, and while we know why, it still hurts. And as many of you know, one of the most terrifying parts of trying to help someone with Alzheimer's is when—for whatever reason—the loved one goes missing.
There are nearly 5 million people in the United States currently suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that more than 60 percent of people with Alzheimer's will, at some point, wander away from their homes or care-giving facilities.
That's three million people.
That's three million missing mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. These people are our neighbors... our parents... our grandparents... our friends.
When Alzheimer's has its victim in its grasp and the wandering begins, the person is confused, often disoriented and unable to return to the safety of their homes, care facilities, or families. Recently, some states have established a protection system to help find these people when this happens. It's called a Silver Alert and acts very much the same way an Amber Alert works when a child goes missing.
These programs have shown that, with timely notification because a Silver Alert system is in place, the chances of the missing individual being found greatly increase.
In Congress I am an original co-sponsor of legislation known as the Silver Alert Grant Program Act. This legislation creates a grant program to provide financial help to all states, including Iowa, to establish and improve state-administered Silver Alert programs.
This important legislation also promotes best practices that are based on the real-world results of successful Silver Alert programs already in place and making a difference. It helps develop awareness about the need for families, caregivers, communities and law enforcement officials to work together to help locate these missing individuals before they inadvertently harm themselves or others.
I am working hard with Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to stand with me to pass the Silver Alert Grant Program Act into law.
This is an issue that we can all agree would make a positive difference for Americans who suffer from Alzheimer's... and the countless people who love and support them.
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Congressional Inaction Is Unacceptable on Flood Reliefby CongressmanTomLatham135 views
What about younger people? I ask because I've just wandered off several times. My mate and my aunt managed to grab whilst still wandereing further away. I sometimes forget who they are, what an object is called, my pets, my face...its just sooo hard to deal with this with doctors not being able to do much except medicate me with anti-psychotics. Oh, btb, I'm 26 years old. Its just getting so hard to remember everything. Could you help me to understand or direct me to someone who can? Domo(^_^)
onikuma25 1 year ago