Program helps locate wandering Alzheimer’s patients

PORTSMOUTH, R.I.—A new tracking system for people with autism or Alzheimer’s disease is taking hold in Rhode Island.

The system is called Project Lifesaver and it’s something the town of West Warwick wants.

“We have technology similar where we locate stolen vehicles, LoJack. This takes it to the next step where the patient or person actually wears a bracelet that is waterproof. It works off a battery and lasts about 30 days,“ said Chief Paul Villa of the West Warwick Police Department.

The device is being used in Portsmouth.

“It basically consists of a transmitter, which is the size of a wrist watch, that can either be worn as a wristwatch, worn on the ankle or a person can have it attached to their clothing,“ said Chief Jeff Lynch of the Portsmouth Fire Department.

If a person with autism or Alzheimer’s disease gets lost, his or her caregiver calls the fire department. Fire crews activate a signal which tracks the device being worn by the person. The person is tracked first with a mobile antenna then with a hand-held device that is used during a search.

“Right now we have three people participating in the project. If anybody has the need for it and is physically unable to participate in it, we do have some donations to cover the cost of it,“ Lynch said.

It costs $300 to get into the program and then about $25 a month in service fees.

The program originated with the National Autism Association.