New Law Aims To Create Coordinated Alert System For Missing Senior Citizens
(CBS) -- A new law going into effect January 1 is going create a coordinated alert system for senior citizens who have gone missing, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
The law creates what's known as Silver Search and the sponsor, State Senator Daniel Biss, says it's not too much of a stretch to call it Amber Alert for seniors.
"There's obviously different details but the main issue is we've got an ageing population, a very large and growing amount of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and there's the really heart-wrenching tragedy where someone who suffers from dementia wanders off and can't be found," Biss said.
Podcast
The idea is to standardize when and how to broadcast information to neighborhoods, news media and other systems when disoriented or disabled senior citizens have wandered away.
An estimated 210,000 Illinoisans have Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Senator Biss says existing alarms and some guidelines can help find them faster.
