Description of Program
Many of our elderly have Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or are on medication that causes them confusion and disorientation. They may wander outside the home into unfamiliar areas where they could be injured or result in death. This was recently demonstrated by two elderly men in Genesee and Shiawassee Counties who wandered off, had no identification to let others know they had dementia and needed to be brought to safety and both incidents resulted in the death of these elderly men.

Since these two events, the Elder Abuse Prevention Program, in cooperation with the Office of the Genesee County Sheriff developed a program to help with early recognition by the community of our confused elderly, so they can be brought safely home.

Wrist Bands
The wrist band will be worn by the elderly person who is confused, living at home or in an institution that does not have an alarm system in place for persons who elope. A bright, YELLOW, wrist band will be placed on the individual's dominant arm.

Registration Cards
There will also be a bright, YELLOW, registration card to be completed and returned to the Sheriff's Department with a recent photo of the elder. In the event that this person wanders from their home, a "Silver Alert" will be issued by the Sheriff's Department and they will begin searching immediately for the lost elder. This "Safe Wandering Program" is a stepping-stone to our process of keeping our seniors safe and protected from a world they may see as frightening and unfamiliar.

GPS Tracking Locators
Recently, the Elder Abuse & Exploitation Prevention program received grants from the Weed and Seed Foundation and The Whiting Foundation. These grants have enabled us to purchase GPS Locators to be used by those with Alzheimer's or dementia to keep them safe should they wander from home. We are very excited to be able to offer these to Genesee County residents over the age of 60 who have a history of wandering at no charge to the family. They will be monitored by the Dispatch Department of the Genesee County Sheriff 24 hours/7 days a week. Please call (810) 762-4022 to find our more information or enroll someone in this innovative new program.

Working together, we can all "Keep Seniors Safe."