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Families Dealing With Alzheimer's Support New Law
Gov. Bill Owens on Wednesday signed a bill extending the statewide Amber Alert system for missing senior citizens, making Colorado the first state to do so.
"The Amber Alert program has helped recover hundreds of abducted children nationwide since its inception 10 years ago," Owens said. "I believe the same strategy of rapidly disseminating information via the media will help locate missing senior citizens in need of help."
Senate Bill 57, sponsored by Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, and Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, creates a citizen alert program for missing at-risk seniors, defined as someone 60 years old or older with a verified impaired mental condition, and whose disappearance poses a credible threat to their safety and health.
When a missing senior comes under the criteria, the new law specifies that participating radio stations, television stations and other media outlets may issue the alert just as they currently do when a child is abducted.
"We have learned from the Amber Alerts that time is of the essence. Such alerts can instantly create a giant neighborhood watch. The partnership between law enforcement, broadcasters and the community is a proven way to save lives," Owens said.
The new law is supported by those who have family members suffering from Alzheimer's disease and by the Alzheimer's Association.
Supporters said the program is about getting the word out at the most critical time, since studies show around 60 percent of people with Alzheimer's disease will wander away from home and that the first few hours are critical to finding a person safe.
Last month two Denver seniors who suffered from Alzheimer's disease walked away from their home and were found dead the next day. They were just several blocks from their home.
Why do those with Alzheimer's disease wander? Linda Mitchell, president of the Alzheimer's Association, said people with the disease can get confused and sometimes, it's about day and night.
"So a person might get up in the middle of the night thinking in their mind that they have to go to work, that it's time to go to work. And they leave the house headed for a job that they had 20 years ago," Mitchell said.
The Alzheimer's Association also encourages families to register their loved one with their Safe Return Program and to safety-proof their homes with things such as bells, chimes, or buzzers on outside doors, locks on outside gates and fenced-in yards.
Owens signed Colorado's original Amber Alert legislation in April 2002. The program is named after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year old girl who was abducted and murdered in Texas in 1996. Responding to community concern, Texas broadcasters created the first Amber Alert system which has since spread to all 50 states. The U.S. Department of Justice recently reported that Amber Alerts have helped locate 241 abducted children nationwide.
The senior alert legislation signed by Owens directs the Colorado Department of Public Safety to promulgate rules to implement the program. The rules are expected to be finalized within the next several months.
Gov. Bill Owens on Wednesday signed a bill extending the statewide Amber Alert system for missing senior citizens, making Colorado the first state to do so.
"The Amber Alert program has helped recover hundreds of abducted children nationwide since its inception 10 years ago," Owens said. "I believe the same strategy of rapidly disseminating information via the media will help locate missing senior citizens in need of help."
Senate Bill 57, sponsored by Sen. Peter Groff, D-Denver, and Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, creates a citizen alert program for missing at-risk seniors, defined as someone 60 years old or older with a verified impaired mental condition, and whose disappearance poses a credible threat to their safety and health.
When a missing senior comes under the criteria, the new law specifies that participating radio stations, television stations and other media outlets may issue the alert just as they currently do when a child is abducted.
"We have learned from the Amber Alerts that time is of the essence. Such alerts can instantly create a giant neighborhood watch. The partnership between law enforcement, broadcasters and the community is a proven way to save lives," Owens said.
The new law is supported by those who have family members suffering from Alzheimer's disease and by the Alzheimer's Association.
Supporters said the program is about getting the word out at the most critical time, since studies show around 60 percent of people with Alzheimer's disease will wander away from home and that the first few hours are critical to finding a person safe.
Last month two Denver seniors who suffered from Alzheimer's disease walked away from their home and were found dead the next day. They were just several blocks from their home.
Why do those with Alzheimer's disease wander? Linda Mitchell, president of the Alzheimer's Association, said people with the disease can get confused and sometimes, it's about day and night.
"So a person might get up in the middle of the night thinking in their mind that they have to go to work, that it's time to go to work. And they leave the house headed for a job that they had 20 years ago," Mitchell said.
The Alzheimer's Association also encourages families to register their loved one with their Safe Return Program and to safety-proof their homes with things such as bells, chimes, or buzzers on outside doors, locks on outside gates and fenced-in yards.
Owens signed Colorado's original Amber Alert legislation in April 2002. The program is named after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year old girl who was abducted and murdered in Texas in 1996. Responding to community concern, Texas broadcasters created the first Amber Alert system which has since spread to all 50 states. The U.S. Department of Justice recently reported that Amber Alerts have helped locate 241 abducted children nationwide.
The senior alert legislation signed by Owens directs the Colorado Department of Public Safety to promulgate rules to implement the program. The rules are expected to be finalized within the next several months.
