INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Time is of the essence when searching for any missing person, but it is especially vital when pursuing an autistic child or a senior suffering from dementia, brain trauma or Alzheimer’s.
Individuals with cognitive brain disorders are not only more at risk of wandering, they are often unaware of their immediate surroundings.
But help is available through the use of Project Lifesaver – simple watch-sized transmitters that can mean the difference between a happy outcome and tragedy.
When notified that a patient enrolled in the program is missing, deputies are able to quickly mobilize to track that individual.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office reports 23 incidents of missing or wandering seniors since January; there have been no reports of missing autistic children this year.
Of the 23, two involved the same Project Lifesaver enrollee – located each time within 30 minutes. The average time for those without the device averaged 1 hour and 43 minutes, with the longest taking just over 6 hours.
“It’s an excellent tool that’s extremely underutilized,” said Lt. Tony Consalo. “There are not enough people in the county taking advantage of it.”
Managed locally through the Alzheimer and Parkinson’s Association of Indian River County and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the program received its initial funding in 2005 through a $10,000 grant from the Treasure Coast Pilot’s Club.
“Our focus at that time was on brain disorders,” said Pilot’s Club member Ester Rymer, noting that support continues through proceeds from the annual Pancake Day Breakfast. “We jumped on it because we thought it was something that was needed in this county.”
Additional money for devices and transmitters, as well as the $300 annual cost of replacement batteries and bracelet straps, comes from grants and private donations.
Individual files with photos and information that might help in a search are compiled by staff at the Alzheimer and Parkinson’s facility and shared with law enforcement.
The information can be made available elsewhere if families travel out of town.
Four receivers are kept charged and ready to go; three at the Sheriff’s Office and one in the hangar for use in the helicopter. Deployment is by air, car or on the ground, depending on the length of time the person has been missing and how ambulatory they are.
“If we don’t know exactly where the person is, we’ll respond with one of the receivers to the location where person was last seen,” explains Consalo.
Deputies then spread out along major arteries and once a signal is found, can triangulate the signal to locate the individual.
Although the device is provided to people at no cost, Peggy Cunningham, executive director of Alzheimer and Parkinson’s of Indian River County says, “We ask for a $50 down payment to remind the caregiver that the equipment belongs to the organization.”
Eligibility is open to Indian River County residents who are at risk of wandering, but the resident must have a full-time caregiver.
“If mom is living in her home by herself and daughter is in Colorado it’s not going to do any good because nobody will know mom’s missing if she wanders off,” says Cunningham. “It’s not for the person living independently.”
Consalo stressed the importance of caregiver monitoring, relating how they once tracked a patient from where she was last seen heading into a grove, back to her residence; only to find the bracelet in the pocket of her nightgown.
“We did eventually find her, but it took longer.”
Several autistic children have been the most recent additions to the program.
Cunningham expressed interest in extending it to others who could utilize the service.
“It’s a change for us,” she said. “We’re used to putting these things on older people, but these kids move fast and they wiggle a lot. It’s the cutest thing. It’s kind of a different dynamic for this office, but we love it.”
She indicated the danger for autistic parents is during unstructured times, such as when parents are cooking or performing other household chores.
“Two minutes and they’re out the door,” says Cunningham. “It’s not for every child, just like it’s not for every Alzheimer patient.
“It’s really for the nonverbal autistic kids who wouldn’t know how to call for help. They don’t know that they’re at risk. They don’t know that they’re vulnerable.”
They noted certain sensitivities when dealing with children who could be upset by flashing lights, or might not want to be touched.
“Law enforcement may be out in the field calling the child’s name and they would not respond,” said Consalo. “This is a much better tool.”
Adults with cognitive impairments tend to believe they are heading to home, school or an old job, and instead often wander toward woods and water, or follow electrical lines.
“Think about the woman who was lost for five days about a year and a half ago,” says Cunningham. “She had gone shopping and they finally found her on one of the ranches on the west side of I-95.
“She was dehydrated, but luckily she had food because she had gone grocery shopping. She would have been an ideal candidate for a bracelet.”
A similar incident with a senior from Ft. Pierce had a tragic end; he was found days after driving onto a grove in Indian River County.
Consalo said there is no doubt he would have been found if he had been wearing a Project Lifesaver device.
“It’s an excellent tool, but absolutely underutilized,” affirms Consalo. “Whatever we can do to get more people involved would be great.”
“People ask when they should wear them,” says Cunningham. “If you’re starting to see a problem, you should put them on. The next time could be the last time.”
In addition to Project Lifesaver, the Alzheimer and Parkinson’s Association, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in the fall, provides respite care five mornings each week to give caregivers some downtime.
It also hosts a wide variety of support groups and classes, including those for the growing number of individuals suffering from essential tremors.
Caregivers can call (772) 563-0505 to learn more about enrollment in Project Lifesaver or other programs at the organization.