Jan 24, 2018 | 2 min read

Older Adults and the Silver Alert System

According to the American Silver Alert Coalition, a Silver Alert is a public notification system that broadcasts information about missing persons, especially seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or other mental disabilities, in order to aid in their safe return.

Silver Alerts use a wide array of media outlets, such as commercial radio stations, television stations and cable TV to broadcast information about missing persons. Silver Alerts also use variable-message signs along highways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors. Interestingly, some states have partnered with their respective state lottery commissions which allows for these alerts to be posted at all lottery locations throughout that particular state.

Activation criteria for Silver Alerts vary from state to state. Some states limit Silver Alerts to persons over the age of 65, who have been medically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia or a similar mental disability. Other states expand Silver Alerts to include all adults with mental or developmental disabilities. Some states use the Silver Alert system to help locate missing children as well as missing older adults. For example, a recent headline from Fox-61 News in Hartford, CT read:

Connecticut State Police have resolved the Silver Alert involving the two missing children.

In general, the decision to issue a Silver Alert is made by the law enforcement agency investigating the report of a missing person. Public information in a Silver Alert may consist of the name and description of the missing person and a description of the missing person’s vehicle and license plate number.

In cases in which a person is believed to be missing on foot, reverse 911 systems can be used to notify nearby residents in the neighborhood surrounding the missing person’s last known location.

Currently, 44 states have “Missing Persons Recovery Programs”, but not all of these states use the actual “Silver Alert” program. Some states use a system similar in concept, but unique with their own intricacies. For example, Alabama uses the Missing Senior Alert while Georgia uses the Mattie’s Call system. Minnesotans have the Brandon’s Law program, while Virginia uses the Senior Alert system and Kentucky uses a program called the Golden Alert system.

Many states have reported nominal costs associated with operating their respective systems, since most are able to utilize existing Amber Alert infrastructure to issue Silver Alerts.

To learn more about the Silver Alert system, (success stories, proposed legislation, etc.) visit the American Silver Alert Coalition website at https://silveralertbill.com/.

Click here to learn how to receive emergency alerts on your Apple device.

Click here to learn how to receive emergency alerts on your Android device.

Matt Gurwell (Senior Care Authority)

Matt Gurwell is the developer of the nationally-recognized “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. He currently lectures throughout the United States on topics related to the aging process and its adverse affects on driving skills. As developer of this life-saving program, Matt’s mission is to provide strategies and guidance to seniors that will help them to continue driving safely until the decision is made to retire from their driving career. The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program also provides an excellent array of services and resources for both families and professionals as they deal with this very sensitive issue. Matt retired from a very distinguished and successful 24-year career as an Assistant District Commander with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. After leaving the Patrol, Matt has participated in a tremendous amount of work in the area of older driver research, best practices, current vehicle safety technologies, and adaptive equipment. Matt's creative, innovative and common sense approach, combined with his uncanny ability to bring calm and resolve to stressful situations without ever jeopardizing the dignity of others, has contributed greatly to the success of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. When asked what the ultimate motivation was for starting the program, Matt explains: "There was never one particular event. It was the result of 20-plus years of holding dying people in my arms at terrible car accidents, and delivering dozens and dozens of death notifications to families. I would much rather work with families to bring a peaceful resolve to this sensitive and uncomfortable issue now, rather than have them deal with it when a State Trooper is knocking on their front door". Matt serves as Senior Care Authority’s Program Director for the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. Senior Care Authority (https://www.seniorcareauthority.com) is now the nation’s exclusive provider of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program.