The short answer: About 6 in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Florida has a statewide Silver Alert system that law enforcement can start for certain missing adults. Many sheriff's offices also run Project Lifesaver, which uses a small radio transmitter worn by the person. Families can also use door alarms, a recent photo and a written plan to lower the risk.
This guide explains general information in plain language. It is not medical advice. For advice about your own health, talk to your doctor or another licensed professional.
What Wandering Is and Why It Is Dangerous
Wandering means a person with dementia walks or drives away and cannot find the way back. It can happen at any stage. It can happen even to someone who has never wandered before.
The Alzheimer's Association says many people who wander are found within 1.5 miles of where they went missing. It also lists common warning signs. These include trying to "go home" while already at home, pacing or restlessness, trouble finding the bathroom or bedroom, and coming back late from a walk or drive. (Source: Alzheimer's Association, Wandering.)
Florida has a lot of water, heat and busy roads. The Alzheimer's Association tells families to list nearby hazards such as water, busy roads and open stairwells. If someone goes missing, it says to check the surrounding area first, including ponds, tree lines and fence lines.
How Florida's Silver Alert Works
A Silver Alert is a public alert for a missing adult with a memory or thinking condition. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs the statewide plan through its Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. (Source: FDLE, Florida Silver Alert.)
Florida law refers to this plan. Section 937.0201 of the Florida Statutes counts a missing adult who meets the Silver Alert criteria as a "missing endangered person." (Source: Florida Statutes 937.0201.)
Who Can Start a Silver Alert
Only law enforcement can ask for a Silver Alert. A family cannot start one on its own. Families report the person missing, and the agency decides whether the case meets the criteria.
The Basic Criteria
FDLE describes the criteria this way. Check FDLE's page for the current wording, because it has changed over the years.
- The person has an irreversible decline in thinking ability, such as Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. Law enforcement must verify the condition.
- The person is 60 or older. A person aged 18 to 59 can also qualify if law enforcement finds the person lacks the capacity to consent and highway message signs may be the only way to find them.
- The agency first issues a local alert. It can then ask for a state alert when the person is believed to be traveling by car and the agency has a license plate number or other vehicle details.
(Sources: FDLE Silver Alert criteria and FDLE Silver Alert FAQ.)
After you report the person missing to your local police department or sheriff's office, FDLE says you can also contact its Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774). FDLE also sends Silver Alerts by email or text to people who sign up on its website.
How the Word Gets Out
For a state alert, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) can show vehicle details on highway message signs. (Source: FDOT, The Florida Silver Alert.) Local agencies also use their own tools, such as social media and news releases.
Florida law protects people who share an alert at an agency's request, as long as they act in good faith. They are not required to share it. (Source: Florida Statutes 937.021.)
What Families Do When a Loved One Is Missing
- Start looking right away. The Alzheimer's Association says to search the nearby area first. That includes ponds, tree lines and fence lines.
- Call 911. The Alzheimer's Association says to call 911 if the person is not found within 15 minutes, and to say the person has dementia. Many families call sooner, especially in extreme heat, at night, or near water or a busy road.
- Give the officer key facts. This includes a recent close-up photo, what the person was wearing, medical needs, places the person likes to go, and any vehicle details.
- Ask whether the agency will use a Silver Alert. The agency makes that decision.
Florida law does not set a waiting period before an agency takes a missing adult report. Agencies must accept the report where the person was last seen. Section 937.021 also requires the report to be entered into state and national databases within 2 hours. (Source: Florida Statutes 937.021.)
Project Lifesaver
Project Lifesaver is a search-and-rescue program run by public safety agencies. It is meant for people at risk of wandering because of dementia, autism or other conditions. (Source: Project Lifesaver International.)
In the version many sheriff's offices use, the person wears a bracelet that sends out its own radio signal. If the person goes missing, trained deputies use a receiver to track that signal. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office says the goal is to cut search times from hours or days to minutes. (Source: Brevard County Sheriff's Office.)
Availability, cost and rules vary by county. Some programs have their own requirements. Brevard County, for example, asks families to call its Community Services Unit at 321-264-7755 to see whether a loved one qualifies. To find your area, use the "Find an Agency" directory on the Project Lifesaver website or call your sheriff's non-emergency line.
The Project Lifesaver website also lists a GPS option. Features such as battery life, coverage and cost differ by product and agency, so ask the program what it offers.
Everyday Ways to Lower the Risk
The Alzheimer's Association says no step can prevent wandering completely. These are the ideas it lists:
- Keep a daily routine. Plan activities for the time of day when wandering is most likely, such as late afternoon or early evening. Make sure the person has eaten, had something to drink and used the bathroom.
- Make exits harder to use. Options include door alarms, sensor mats, camouflaged doors and deadbolts placed out of sight. Put away coats, keys and wallets that might prompt a trip outside.
- Handle car keys. If the person no longer drives, keep the keys out of reach.
- Do not leave the person alone in unfamiliar places. The Association also advises against locking someone in at home.
- Plan ahead. Keep a recent close-up photo. Ask neighbors and relatives to call if they see the person out alone. Some families sign up for a wandering response service.
For more room-by-room ideas, see our guide to home safety for aging in place.
When Wandering Is a Sign It May Be Time to Look at Other Care
Some families find that wandering becomes too hard to manage at home. Many memory care communities are built with secured areas for this reason. Our page on memory care in Florida explains the basics, and our guide on choosing a memory care facility lists questions to ask. A move is a personal and medical decision. A doctor who knows the person can talk through the options.
If you care for someone with dementia, you do not have to do it alone. Read what dementia caregiving is really like and see our family caregiver support page.
Where to Get Free Help
- Emergency: Call 911 if someone is missing or in danger.
- Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900. (Source: alz.org.)
- Florida Elder Helpline: 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). This is the state's line for senior services in your area.
- Your county sheriff's office: Ask whether it runs Project Lifesaver or a similar program.
- Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) if you suspect an older adult is being neglected or abused.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns, a financial advisor for financial planning, and an attorney for legal matters. The resources and programs mentioned are subject to eligibility requirements and availability, which may vary. While we strive for accuracy, the information provided may not reflect the most recent updates. Always verify details with official sources or professionals before making decisions based on this content.