QUINCY, ILL. -- Advocates for Alzheimer's research and lawmakers met to discuss updates about the legislature involving Alzheimer's Disease. The public was invited. Advocates shared ideas for the legislative session as well as concerns.
"So many people want to express their needs and so they're a voice with their legislators on Alzheimer's and that's why this event is important. It's an opportunity for family members to voice their concerns," Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association Central Illinois Chapter, Nikki Vulgaris said.
Detective Tom Liesen of the Quincy Police Department shared an update on a project started in 2005.
Project Lifesaver puts a tracking bracelet on people with disorders that may cause them to become disoriented and wander away. Those who use the bracelets must wear them 24 hours a day.
This program is used around the country. QPD adopted it after not finding a missing person until it was too late. This project has already saved one Adams County resident's life.
"We have a gentleman with Alzheimer's back on December 20th, right before Christmas, right in the middle of the snowstorm we had that day, and we used the equipment to find him and found him very quickly," Liesen said.
This tracking system has been used about 2600 times around the country.
Each time, the missing person was found within 30 minutes.
For that reason, Liesen said it is important to get these tracking bracelets out there.
The program has been funded through donations and fundraisers. One of the fundraisers was created by Leisen. "Running for those who wander" was made in August of 2012. People were able to sponsor Liesen in the Chicago Marathon. All of the money went to the project.
You can support someone who needs this bracelet for $350 a year.
This includes a bracelet, a tracking antenna that reaches up to three miles away, and new batteries. Around 30 people attended the 5th annual event.
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