LOS ANGELES
COUNTY LAUNCHES “L.A. FOUND” INITIATIVE FEATURING NEW TRACKING
TECHNOLOGY TO HELP FIND THOSE WITH AUTISM, ALZHEIMER’S OR DEMENTIA WHO GO
MISSING
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, L.A. County Workforce
Development Aging and Community Services (WDACS) Partner with Project Lifesaver
to Give Caregivers More Peace of Mind
September
5, 2018 – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Sheriff Jim
McDonnell, and Director of the L.A. County Workforce Development, Aging and
Community Services Department (WDACS) Cynthia Banks came together to officially
launch “L.A. Found,” a groundbreaking countywide initiative which aims to
quickly locate individuals with autism, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease when
they wander and go missing. It features a system of trackable bracelets that
can be located using receivers carried in L.A. Sheriff’s Department helicopters
and designated ground units. To learn how to qualify for a bracelet, caregivers
can visit www.LAFound.com.
L.A.
Found is the culmination of community input and expert recommendations through
the Bringing Our Loved Ones Home (BOLOH) Task Force, originally proposed
through a motion authored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and
coauthored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger. In February 2018, the Los Angeles
County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a comprehensive set of
strategies proposed by the BOLOH Task Force, including a countywide pilot
program to provide trackable bracelets to County residents (now known as L.A.
Found).
“If
you have cared for someone with dementia or autism, you know the fear of what
might happen if you turn your back for just one minute,” said Supervisor Hahn.
“L.A. Found will not only save lives, it will finally give caregivers some
peace of mind. If someone you love goes missing, L.A. County is ready to step
in and help find them.”
Wandering
is a common problem associated with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and autism.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60% of people with dementia will
wander at some point while a study by the Interactive Autism Network found that
49% of children with autism will engage in wandering behavior. While the vast
majority of these individuals are recovered, wandering cases can end in
tragedy.
“Our
LASD mission is to be the eyes and ears in the sky and on the ground. This
technology literally enables lost loved ones to communicate their location to
us and enable us to do all we can as first responders, to bring peace, comfort
and families back together again,” said Sheriff Jim McDonnell.
L.A.
County has more than 177,000 residents with Alzheimer’s disease. There’s 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
trackable bracelets, provided by the non-profit organization Project Lifesaver,
for at-risk individuals. While the bracelet is not under constant monitoring,
when an individual wearing a bracelet goes missing, caregivers call 9-1-1 and
the police agency or sheriff’s station will inform the Sheriff’s Department Mental
Evaluation Team 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.
Electronic handheld receivers are used to locate missing persons
with the bracelets and are being used by law enforcement agencies across the
country with great success. Weather permitting, airborne searching
improves the distance a signal can be detected using specially equipped
sheriff’s service helicopters in the event someone wearing the special bracelet
is lost.
In
order to qualify for the program, caregivers must first schedule a phone
interview with either the Sheriff’s Department or WDACS through the website at www.LAFound.com. Once an at-risk individual qualifies, the caregiver will be
allowed to purchase and register the bracelet with the Sheriff’s Department.
The
bracelets cost $325, plus shipping and handling. There are leasing
opportunities available through Project Lifesaver. There is currently a waiting
list to be considered for a free bracelet. Call 1-833-569-7651 or email LAFound@WDACS.LACOUNTY.GOV to be placed on the waiting list.
In
addition to launching the Project Lifesaver bracelet system countywide, the
L.A. Found Program will also improve and coordinate the County’s response to
missing persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, or other cognitive
impairments.
“We
want caregivers to know that the County is here for you. Through L.A. Found we
are not only providing access to tracking bracelets, but collaborating with law
enforcement agencies, municipalities and other partners to improve emergency
coordination, while providing information and resources to support individuals
caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia or Autism,” said Cynthia
D. Banks, WDACS Director.
About
Workforce Development Aging and Community Services (WDACS)
WDACS
is committed to connecting communities and improving the lives of all
generations in Los Angeles County. WDACS provides employment services to adults
and youth and works with employers in times of hiring and downsizing. WDACS
also provides dispute resolution/mediation services. WDACS also investigates
abuse claims against older adults and dependent adults. WDACS provides nutrition and other
life-enhancing services to older adults thru the Area Agency on Aging. WDACS’ Human Relations Commission is dedicated
to fostering positive inter-group relations and the Los Angeles Commission for
Older Adults provides advocacy and education to older adults in Los Angeles
County.
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