I Turned Around and He Was Gone! Project Lifesaver comes to Kootenai County
D
o you know someone who tends to wander if not watched? Caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or dementia face a disturbing future as according to the Alzheimer’s Association, 40% of those afflicted will begin to wander. Nearly half will die and many become injured if they are not located within 24 hours. Autism is the nation’s fastest growing developmental disorder. Today’s statistics show that 1 in 110 children have autism. As a caregiver or parent, you know it only takes a second for them to disappear.
About Project Lifesaver The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has brought the Project Lifesaver program to its service area. Designed to track and rescue individuals with cognitive conditions, the service answers a critical need for protecting people at risk for wandering, including those with Alzheimer’s, Autism, Down Syndrome and Dementia. Project Lifesaver International, the leading organization in electronic search and rescue (SAR) programs, conducts mandatory training and provides certification, ongoing management and support to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. The training includes teaching public safety officials how to use the equipment and how to gain the trust of and communicate with people who wander, as well as to ensure that caregivers are well versed in the program. All of which are essential to a successful rescue. Project Lifesaver also develops public outreach programs to educate others about the issue of wandering, and they 60
Wise Guide | Spring / Summer 2017
constantly work toward developing public policy and effective law enforcement response to help save lives and “bring loved ones home.”
How Does Project Lifesaver Work? Unlike other rather costly personal security systems, Project Lifesaver is not GPS or satellite based. Clients enrolled in the service will wear a wrist-watch sized radio transmitter on their wrist or ankle. The transmitter constantly emits a radio frequency signal, which can be tracked regardless of where the person has wandered, even into a densely wooded area, a marsh, a concrete structure such as a garage, or a building constructed with steel.