Talk of creating a Silver Alert System is growing in British Columbia. The latest discussion is something that Emily Pridham, Regional Manager at Alzheimer's Society of BC, says is very encouraging.
“Seeing other organizations and members of the public so engaged in finding strategies to reduce wandering is really encouraging and shows Canadians and British Columbians are committed to a dementia friendly society.” States Emily. The system being advocated for is similar to the Amber Alerts sent out when children are missing, and that could be used to find missing seniors with dementia. Pridham continues “certainly not everyone who has dementia will wander, but it is a very common occurrence for people with dementia and a serious concern. A Silver alert system would be a beneficial tool to help find people who have wandered.”
This past summer Oak Bay resident Gladys Barman’s disappeared and her car was found on a logging road behind Lake Cowichan. Her son Neil is one of many calling for the creation of a Silver Alert System. “It would have helped with the search so much, and it would have jogged people’s memories much more quickly. So if they had seen her they could have notified authorities much more quickly and there is a chance she may be with us now,” says Neil.
Currently over 1,000 people country wide has signed an e-petition directed to the House of Commons, asking for the creation of a nationwide Silver Alert System.