VERO BEACH — During the recent Autumn in the Park festival hosted by the Treasure Coast Pilot Club, volunteers representing Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County helped increase awareness for Project Lifesaver.
Hats off to this year’s line-up of volunteers: Larry and Sandi Larson, Eileen O’Donnell, Marian Wenzel, Allan Ballard, Mary Orticelli, Bubs Baird, and Marlene Walters.
Although passersby were provided with general information about all of the association’s programs, which are designed for those challenged by disorders affecting memory and movement, Project Lifesaver was the primary focus. It is tied closely to Treasure Coast Pilot Club, which has supported the program since 2004 and continually supported the program annually.
In addition, the Pilot Club provided a $10,000 grant for the initial purchase of the tracking equipment and training for the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
The Project Lifesaver program has enabled Alzheimer & Parkinson Association to provide a life-saving tracking device free of charge to anyone in Indian River County who is at risk of wandering and is under 24-hour supervision.
The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide a timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, and other related conditions or disorders.
“Most who wander are found within a few miles from home, and search times are reduced from hours and days to minutes,” explained Peggy Cunningham, Executive Director of Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County.
“It only takes a few minutes to enroll in this program and potentially save the life of someone you love,” Cunningham added.
Those enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small transmitter on the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. Locally, if an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies 911 Operations and a trained emergency team from Indian River County Sheriff’s Office responds to the wanderer’s area.
The Alzheimer & Parkinson Association is actively seeking enrollment of local residents who are at risk of wandering. Caregivers can call (772) 563-0505 to learn more about enrollment in Project Lifesaver.
Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County is not an affiliate of a national organization. It is an independent, nonprofit organization that is 100 percent supported through generous donations derived from grants, events, individuals, and businesses.
Programs are designed for those challenged by disorders affecting memory and movement, such as essential tremors, stroke, autism, lewy bodies, and others.
Services provided to area residents include support groups, a lending library resource center, monthly program meetings, caregiver training, Project Lifesaver Tracking Bracelets, respite program, an activity center, weekly exercise and movement classes, and free memory screening.
Nearly 4,100 caregivers, clients, and professionals participated in the organization’s programs in 2011.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, making a donation, or about other programs available in Indian River County, please visit www.AlsPark.org or call (772) 563-0505.