Treasure Coast Alzheimer’s Association launches “Safe Return” program
December 5th, 2008 by Daphne DuretPORT ST. LUCIE — Starting this month, family members and caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients in the Treasure Coast will be able to register them in a database designed to help quickly and safely find missing loved ones.
The community outreach is a part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s National Safe Return Identification Program.
As part of the program, Treasure Coast family members and caregivers can sign up with their loved ones at one of three locations in St. Lucie County and receive an I.D. bracelet. The bracelet has an 800 number that can be used to identify the person with Alzheimers should he or she go missing.
It also gives family members and caregivers a number to call so police can be immediately notified to search based on the registered information.
Members of Hadassah from Temple Beth El Israel in St Lucie West, who call themselves the “Safe Return Squad,” will be at the following locations to register family members afflicted with Alzheimer’s:
∑ Morningside Library, Port St. Lucie (2410 SE Morningside Boulevard) Starting Thursday, Dec. 4 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) and then the First Thursday of each month thereafter
∑ Council on Aging, Port St. Lucie (2501 SW Bayshore Boulevard) starting Wednesday, Dec. 10 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) and then the Second Wednesday of each month thereafter
∑ Melody Lane Library, Ft. Pierce (101 Melody Lane) starting Friday, Dec. 12 (1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.) and then the Second Friday of each month thereafter
On Oct. 8, the State of Florida launched its “Silver Alert” program. The program works in the same way as an “Amber Alert” providing exposure for missing family members who have wandered off or driven away due to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
For more information about the Safe Return program, please call the Alzheimer’s Association at 1-800-861-7826 or visit their website at www.alz.org.
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December 7th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I wish that they would use something like the database the Martin County Sheriff’s Office has. It is much better and puts a photograph along with all other information on the deputies computers. This works…….