I remember the first time I saw a “Silver Alert” – it was posted on a highway message board in Orlando last December. The message said “Silver Alert” and also gave a description of a vehicle. I wondered out loud, “What is a silver alert?” And my 9-year-old daughter replied, “Mom, maybe it’s like an Amber Alert only for old people.” Bingo. We then proceeded to discuss what a great idea it was to create this type of alert program.

Florida’s Silver Alert system has now entered its second year, and state leaders are praising its success. The Silver Alert Plan is a standardized system to aid local law enforcement in finding people age 60 and older with documented dementia who have wandered or driven off. The plan calls for the broadcast of important information via the media and highway message signs to enlist citizens in the search for an endangered senior.  In addition, in August 2009, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs introduced a new capability that enables the general public to sign up to receive free Silver Alert e-mail messages. To sign up, visit www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us/index.php.

“Over the last year, law enforcement has drawn upon this program many times,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey. “Silver Alerts activate an army of citizens to assist law enforcement. The more people involved with the search, the better the chances of finding the missing senior in a timely manner.”

To date, 115 Silver Alerts have been issued – 110 individuals were located safely, with 18 of those recoveries attributed directly to the Silver Alert.

“I’m pleased and proud of the way this program has worked as a safety net for some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist. “I thank our citizens for paying attention to the Silver Alerts, and for doing their part to call in the information law enforcement needs to safely locate these seniors.”

“Not only is Silver Alert a safety net for missing elders, it is also a security blanket for their loved ones who can take comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone in their search,” said Elder Affairs Secretary E. Douglas Beach.

“Silver Alerts make more people aware that an elder is missing, and that’s a tremendous help to everyone.”

The Silver Alert program was modeled after the Amber Alert system, which spreads the word about missing children.

To learn more about the Florida Silver Alert Plan, visit http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/. To report a missing elderly person, call 911.