Price County Project Lifesaver
Who is at risk for wandering?
Over 1,000 people in Price County have Alzheimer's Disease or a related dementia. Of those, approximately 60% will develop the tendency to wander. The task of searching for wandering lost individuals with Alzheimer's, Autism, Down's Syndrome, dementia or other cognitive conditions is a growing and serious responsibility. Without effective procedures and equipment, searches can involve multiple agencies, hundreds of officers, countless man hours and thousands of dollars. More importantly, because time is of the essence, every minute lost increases the risk of tragic outcome.
How does Project Lifesaver work?
Project Lifesaver combines "tried and true" radio technology with rescue teams from the local community including law enforcement and public safety officials to build an effective life-saving system that has proven itself, time and again, to be reliable, responsive, practical and affordable.
Those who are part of the Project Lifesaver Program wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify law enforcement officials that the person is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the mobile locator tracking system. Search times have been reduced from hours and days to only minutes.
Can Project Lifesaver save lives?
A 79 year-old man with Alzheimer's became lost while driving his truck. When the family had searched the neighborhood with no results, a Project Lifesaver team was called in. In just 35 minutes a rescue team located the man using the signal transmitted from his wristband. Several weeks earlier, before joining Project Lifesaver, the same man had wandered off and was missing for two and a-half days!
What are the benefits?
Over 2,126 wanderers found to date (PLS International)
Average location time: 22 minutes
No injuries and no deaths to date
Average number of officers used in Project Lifesaver searches: 2
Locates day or night, inside or outside, up to a mile on the ground
Affordable start-up fee, with scholarships available
Who benefits from Project Lifesaver?
Project Lifesaver aids victims and families suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders as well as individuals with Down's Syndrome or Autism. By forming partnerships with local law enforcement and public safety organizations, Price County Project Lifesaver deploys specially trained teams with the most reliable technology available to quickly locate and return wandering adults and children to their families and caregivers.
How much does it cost?
The average cost of a Project Lifesaver wristband is $300. Cost may vary, depending on the type of wristband chosen. There is also a monthly fee of $10 to cover the cost of maintaining the battery and wristband.
Will I have to pay out-of-pocket?
The Price County Project Lifesaver Steering Committee believes each person who needs a wristband should have one, regardless of ability to pay. Most counties offering the program keep reserve funds for the purpose of providing scholarships to those who are unable to cover the cost of the wristband. However, no scholarship funds are currently available to cover the monthly fee of $10.
How do I qualify for assistance?
Anyone is eligible for assistance. Each family is asked to offset as much of the cost as their budget will allow. This ensures that funds will remain available for others who are also in need of assistance.
For additional information contact:
Price County Sheriff's Department
PO Box B
Phillips, WI 54555
(715)339-3011
