New York City approves "Silver Alerts" for missing New Yorkers with Alzheimer's

From NY1:

The city is taking steps to help families find missing Alzheimer's disease patients.

The City Council voted to approve a "Silver Alert" program, patterned after the Amber Alert, which will provide the public with information on missing seniors believed to be in imminent danger.

Council leaders cited research showing 60 percent of those suffering from Alzheimer's at some point wander off unknowingly.

"That information, just like it is when children have gone missing with the Amber Alert, will be distributed to the public, in an attempt to get more eyes on the street and more members of the community supporting law enforcement, supporting family members," said Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

"There's 26 other cities or states that have done this across the country, so we know that it works. We know that it's effective," said Manhattan Councilwoman Jessica Lappin.

An estimated 250,000 New Yorkers suffer from Alzheimer's.