Being lost can be a scary experience – and for the family of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the consequences of that family member getting lost while driving can be terrifying and heartbreaking. Thanks to the Florida Silver Alert program, the missing don’t have to remain lost. The program is designed to help locate the person quickly and efficiently before a tragedy occurs.

 

Implemented by former Gov. Charlie Christ in October 2008, the Florida Silver Alert program informs the public about a person’s disappearance through dynamic message signs on major highways. These lighted message signs display the words “Silver Alert” along with the make, model, color and license tag number of the car being driven by the missing person. Those who respond to Florida Silver Alerts help law enforcement officers rescue persons who are cognitively impaired, are extremely vulnerable and who can easily become confused and disoriented even in familiar surroundings.

 

Incidents such as the June 16, 2011, Silver Alert for a missing North Palm Beach, FL, resident who suffers from short-term memory loss reinforced the need for Florida Silver Alerts, especially as Florida’s population ages and Alzheimer’s becomes a more prevalent issue (in July 2011, 11 individuals were located as the result of a Silver Alert). According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are currently 450,000 Alzheimer’s patients in Florida. That number will grow 30 percent by 2025. Recognizing that the number of memory-impaired drivers is sure to increase and realizing that Florida Silver Alerts are only as effective as the individuals responding to them, Broward Health is sponsoring a PSA to promote awareness of the Florida Silver Alert Plan.

 

Through the coordinated efforts of the Memory Disorder Center at Broward Health North Broward Medical Center and in conjunction with the State of Florida, Department of Elder Affairs, Broward Health has sponsored a new PSA that educates the public about the Florida Silver Alert Plan. The 30-second public service announcement is raising awareness for Silver Alerts, and media have been invited to share the PSA with their audiences. The full-length PSA, as well as two 15-second Florida Silver Alert PSAs, are available at http://www.floridasilveralert.com under the Education tab.

 

“We decided to sponsor the Florida Silver Alert PSAs because people need to realize what the alerts represent when they see them as they drive on Interstate 95 or any of Florida’s other highways. These are not just car makes and models – they are lost souls on our streets, confused and unable to communicate their need for assistance. By reading and responding to a simple Silver Alert message, every Floridian can help that person find his or her way home,” says Dr. H. Murray Todd, neurologist, medical director of the Broward Health North Broward Medical Center Neurological Institute.

 

In addition to sponsoring the PSA, Broward Health remains committed to advancing the care of Alzheimer’s and memory disorder patients through its Memory Disorder Center at North Broward Medical Center. A sponsored Florida Department of Elder Affairs program that serves families who are coping with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, the Memory Disorder Center assists caregivers and their families during and following a Silver Alert event. The Center also provides education and assesses the need for additional services and resources.