 By comparison, during 2019 there were only 74
advisories. Silver Search is a coordinated effort to bring
awareness, education, and resources to help find and safely return
people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that go missing. The
Silver Search program brings to light the increasing incidences of
people with Alzheimer’s or dementia that get lost and ways in which
the public can help law enforcement return them home safely.
By training law enforcement agencies across Illinois on the program,
Silver Search has become a vital tool for law enforcement agencies
to use when a loved one with dementia goes missing. According to the
Alzheimer’s Association, more than 230,000 Illinois residents are
currently living with Alzheimer’s. Sixty percent of those with
Alzheimer’s will wander at some point during their diagnosis.
The rise in advisories can be closely related to training. The
Illinois State Police Department has trained hundreds of law
enforcement personnel on warning signs to look for, communications
skills and the criteria for a Silver Search, as well as procedures
for activating a search.
“In these high-risk missing person cases, it is imperative that law
enforcement responds in a timely and efficient way. We are glad we
can provide an effective advisory system for law enforcement to
utilize that partners them with the public to help return this
vulnerable population home safely,” says Craig Burge, Missing Person
Coordinator with the Illinois State Police.
Once an alert is issued, Illinois State Police activate the
Endangered Missing Person Advisory. This advisory will alert the
public through notifications to media, Illinois Department of
Transportation (IDOT) digital highway signs, Illinois Lottery
terminals, in addition to the Silver Search website and social media
channels.
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 "In partnership with the
Silver Search Task Force, the Alzheimer's Association is very proud
to have helped reach Illinois residents all across the state with
the Silver Search Alerts. The Silver Search Facebook page has
reached hundreds of thousands of users and has been a fantastic tool
in helping bring people home safely,” says Delia Jervier,
Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter Executive Director.
This increased awareness has been the mission of the Silver Search
Task Force, which brings agencies and organizations together with
the common goal of educating people on Silver Search. The Task Force
continues to meet on a regular basis to formulate goals for the
coming years. The public service announcements will continue to air
on lottery terminals and highway digital message boards also
continue to be used when a person is missing in a vehicle.
Participating members of the Silver Search task force are:
Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois State Police, Illinois Tollway
Authority, Illinois Broadcasters Association, Illinois Association
of Chiefs of Police, Illinois Department of Aging, Illinois
Department of Transportation, AARP, Illinois Law Enforcement
Training and Standards Board, Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois
Lottery.
[ Elizabeth Cook
Alzheimer's Association]
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