SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois will have a statewide alert system when someone with Alzheimer's goes missing under a new law sponsored by state Rep. Mike Smiddy.
"Alzheimer's is a growing problem in our state and our country, and while science continues to research and fight the disease, we have to take steps to keep those suffering safe now," Smiddy said. "Alzheimer's and dementia patients often wander away from the safety of their home, and we need a system in place to quickly alert authorities and the public to get them home safe."
Smiddy sponsored Senate Bill 1846 as it passed through the Illinois House. The new law creates the Silver Search Program and Task Force to create a system that alerts the public when a patient with dementia or Alzheimer's goes missing. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Illinois Chapter Network, about 210,000 Illinois residents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. That number is expended to rise as the baby-boomer generation ages. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that one-third of patients will wander from their homes at some point during the course of the illness.
The Silver Alert will be modeled after the Amber Alert, the system for notifying the public to missing children currently used in 22 states.
"Time is critical to a safe return when Alzheimer's patients go missing, and this new law will establish a system that gets the word about the missing person out quickly and let the community help to return them safely," Smiddy added.
Senate Bill 1846 received bipartisan support in the House and Senate during the Spring Legislative session. The bill will take effect on Jan. 1, 2016.
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