July 21, 2010

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed legislation establishing a Silver Alert program to assist in locating seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia who have gone missing.  Representative McCarthy supported the bill.

“I hope this legislation will give some peace of mind to families caring for a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said McCarthy.  “A coordinated system, staffed by trained personnel and prepared to respond to these particular emergencies, is relay a necessity.” The legislation requires training for law enforcement and key responders. This program will be incorporated into existing emergency personnel training.

Some 120,000 people in Massachusetts have Alzheimer’s disease with the number expected to increase by 17 percent by the year 2025.