We've all heard of Amber Alert, the highly successful program designed to find missing children before it's too late. But have you heard of Silver Alert? Modeled after Amber Alert, Silver Alert notification systems help locate missing individuals who have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Five states currently operate Silver Alert programs: Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas. Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakus wants every state to have the resources to start Silver Alert programs.

Bilirakis recently introduced the Silver Alert Grant Program Act of 2008 (H.R. 5898). If passed, the program would provide state legislatures with seed money to implement their own Silver Alert systems. The congressman recently told the St. Petersburg Times that "states should make this a priority, and we don't want them to have any excuses."

I applaud Congressmen Bilirakus for introducing this bill, which was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. I'll be sure to keep you posted on its status.

Related Reading:

• Tips for Wandering
• Tips for Sundowning
• Join the Fight Against Alzheimer's

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