County Launches L.A. Found to Locate Vagrants With Alzheimer's, Dementia



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L.A. Found features traceable bracelets related to the county sheriff's department of land, aircraft unit receivers

LOS ANGELES – A groundbreaking program in Los Angeles County, called L.A. Found, will now quickly locate people with autism, dementia, or Alzheimer's Disease.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Sheriff Jim McDonnell and Cynthia Banks, Director of LA County's Membership Development, Aging and Community Services Department, met to formally launch the LA Founding Initiative. Wednesday, September 5, 2018

It includes a system of tracking wristbands that can be located using receivers transported in Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopters and designated ground units.

L.A. Found is the culmination of community input and expert recommendations by the Bringing Our Loved Ones Working Group (BOLOH), originally proposed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-author of Kathryn Barger. In February 2018, the Los Angeles County Supervisory Board unanimously approved a comprehensive set of strategies proposed by the BOLOH Task Force, including a county-wide pilot program to provide bracelets that can be followed to county residents.

"If you have treated a person with dementia or autism, you know the fear of what could happen if you do not go back for a minute," said supervisor Hahn. "It will not only save lives, but it will also give some peace of mind to caregivers." If a loved one disappears, L.A. County is ready to step in and find them.

Wandering is a common problem associated with dementia, Alzheimer's disease and autism. According to the Alzheimer's Association, 60% of people with dementia will walk at one time or another while a study by the Interactive Autism Network has revealed that 49% of children with autism adopt a wandering behavior. Although the vast majority of these people are cured, cases of wandering can turn into tragedy.

"Our LASD mission is to be the eyes and ears in the sky and on the ground. This technology literally allows loved ones who are missing to tell us where they are and allows us to do everything we can as first responders to restore peace, comfort and family, "said Sheriff Jim McDonnell.

The County of L.A. has more than 177,000 residents with Alzheimer's disease. There is also a large population of people with autism and other developmental disorders that make them susceptible to wandering.

The L.A. Found initiative establishes a voluntary system of traceable bracelets, provided by the nonprofit Project Lifesaver, for people at risk. Although the bracelet is not constantly monitored when an individual wearing a wristband disappears, caregivers call 9-1-1 and either the police department or the sheriff's station will inform the department's mental assessment team. sheriff who will deploy receivers to help locate the missing person. The Project Lifesaver bracelet uses radio frequency technology to transmit an electronic "chirping" signal to help rescuers locate the wearer.

Portable electronic receivers are used to locate missing persons with bracelets and are used successfully by the country's law enforcement agencies. Weather permitting, the aerial search improves the distance at which a signal can be detected using specially equipped sheriff service helicopters in case someone wears the special wristband.

To qualify for the program, caregivers must first schedule a telephone interview with the Sheriff's Department or WDACS via the website www.LAFound.com. Once an at-risk individual is qualified, the caregiver will be allowed to buy and register the bracelet from the sheriff's department.

Wristbands cost $ 325, plus shipping and handling. Project Lifesaver offers rental opportunities. There is currently a waiting list to consider for a free bracelet. Call 1-833-569-7651 or email [email protected] to be on the waiting list.

Hahn Supervisor's Office, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles donated 330 wristbands for free.

In addition to launching the county-wide Project Lifesaver bracelet system, the LA Found program will also enhance and coordinate the county's response to missing people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia, autism or other cognitive disorders.

"We want caregivers to know that the county is there for you. Through LA Found, we not only provide access to tracking bracelets, but also work with law enforcement, municipalities and other partners to improve emergency coordination while providing information and resources to help people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, D. Banks, director of WDACS.

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