I am very excited about a new law that just went into effect in Maryland. It is basically an Amber Alert for people with Alzheimer’s, senile dementia, or other problems that affect their memory. According to the Cecil Whig, legislators and proponents of the law are hoping that this ability to quickly alert people that a cognitively impaired person has wandered off will save them from the fate of people like Robert Abramowicz, who tragically was not found until long after he left his house and perished in the woods.

When a Silver Alert is put into action, the Maryland State Police force is able to immediately spring into action instead of waiting the typical 48 hours to begin missing persons searches. They can use highway signs and television stations to broadcast important details about the person, which alerts the public to be on the lookout and can use K-9 bloodhound units and other resources to try to quickly locate and recover the Alzheimer’s or senile dementia victim.

If this system works to save even one person from a terrifying and lonely death in the middle of the woods, it will be well worthwhile. I hope other states without a Silver Alert system will follow suit and the system will become a country wide network like the successful Amber Alert system.

Posted by on 10.01.2009 • Alzheimers Health News