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October marks the eighth year anniversary of Florida’s Silver Alert program. Since the program’s inception in 2008, 1,373 Silver Alerts have been issued and Florida’s Silver Alert program has been directly responsible for 132 recoveries of missing senior citizens.
Silver Alerts are activated statewide at the request of local law enforcement after a senior with Alzheimer's or related dementia goes missing in a car. Once a Silver Alert is issued, information about the missing senior is communicated to the public through local media outlets, lottery terminals and highway message signs.
“Florida’s Silver Alert program is so successful because Floridians care for each other,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “Please help us bring missing seniors home by signing up to receive Silver Alerts at FloridaSilverAlert.com.”
“As the number of Floridians affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia continues to rise, it is important that we highlight important programs like Silver Alert and the role they play in ensuring the safety of our loved ones affected by dementia,” said Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Jeffrey Bragg. “We are proud of this program’s success and of the commitment of all of our partners to safely bring home missing elders.”
Missing persons 60 years of age and older who have irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are eligible for Silver Alert activation.
With over 4.8 million residents age 60 and older, the Department of Elder Affairs estimates that more than 510,000 individuals in Florida are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Through coordinated state and local efforts, Florida’s Silver Alert Program has gained the reputation of being an effective and necessary tool that has encouraged communities to participate in locating missing elders.
Once the person has been recovered, the Department of Elder Affairs, in coordination with the Area Agencies on Aging and Florida’s Memory Disorder Clinics, work to provide follow-up assistance to the senior.
Citizens can sign-up to receive Silver Alerts via email at www.floridasilveralert.com.