Programs to locate missing and critically wandering elders: a critical review and a call for multiphasic evaluation

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Aging population in America leads to increased prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
• This demographic shift results in a higher incidence of wandering among older adults.
• Existing initiatives aim to support missing older adults, but their effectiveness is largely unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine three prominent programs: Safe Return, Project Lifesaver, and Silver Alert.
• To highlight the understudied nature of the missing elder problem.
• To advocate for further research into program effectiveness and the balance between safety and individual liberties.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of Safe Return, Project Lifesaver, and Silver Alert.
• Critical examination of the scope and nature of the missing elder issue.
• Literature review on existing research regarding program effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Three widespread programs (Safe Return, Project Lifesaver, Silver Alert) exist to aid missing older adults.
• There is a significant lack of research evaluating the effectiveness of these safety initiatives.
• The fundamental problem of missing elders and its scope remain understudied.

Conclusions:

• Further research is crucial to understand the effectiveness of programs designed to prevent wandering and locate missing seniors.
• Assessing how these programs impact the balance between ensuring safety and respecting individual liberties is essential.
• A comprehensive approach is needed to address the growing challenge of missing older adults with dementia.