LOOKING OUT FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

The terrain on the Virgin Islands can be dangerous for people with dementia or cognitive impairments if they become lost outdoors. The Virgin Islands has a new law that alerts government agencies if someone with dementia is reported missing. The Silver Alert system is similar to the Amber Alert programs for missing children. It expedites the response when a person with a mental impairment goes missing. At least 90% of Alzheimer's patients are 60 and older. At some point is their illness, 6 out of 10 people with dementia will wander from their homes or care facilities and get lost. As many as half of these people may suffer serious injury or death if they are not found within 24 hours.