COURT HOUSE – On May 24, Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer announced that the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office is receiving free transmitters for the Project Lifesaver Program in Cape May County. Through a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office will be able to continue to supply free transmitters for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Project Lifesaver International, a non-profit organization that helps rescue persons who are prone to wander due to Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, Down’s Syndrome and other cognitive disorders, was awarded grant funding to assist in education, awareness, equipment and public policy efforts to expand the Project Lifesaver program across the country – directly helping individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease.
As part of the grant funding, the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office was awarded two free Project Lifesaver transmitters, plus a year’s supply of batteries and bands. These Project Lifesaver transmitters will be used directly to benefit two individuals, in the community, who have Alzheimer’s disease. Sheriff Schaffer said, “I commend Officer Paul Shelton for securing this grant and the great job he does managing this program for us.”
Project Lifesaver is a certified training program designed for public safety agencies to help quickly find those with cognitive conditions who wander. Individuals wear a personalized, wrist-watch sized radio transmitter that allows first responders to rapidly locate them. Rescue personnel receive specialized training from Project Lifesaver, not only on how to operate the tracking equipment and on search and rescue procedures, but also to provide public safety personnel with skills to address the behavioral and communication challenges specific to persons with cognitive conditions – skills that are critical to gaining the missing person’s trust and facilitating a safe escort home.
Sheriff Schaffer states, “Over 5,000,000 people in the USA have Alzheimer’s. That number will triple by 2050. Well over 50% of these people wander and become lost. A lost person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia represents a critical emergency. They are unaware of their situation; they do not call out for help and do not respond to people calling out to them. Nearly half of them will die and many can become injured or fall victim to predators if they are not located within 24 hours. The number of people, families and communities experiencing this risk will grow dramatically in the next several years. If you are not yet touched in some way by Alzheimer’s or a related disorder, chances are that you will be within the next several years. You will find it among neighbors, your friends, co-workers and their families, and perhaps within your own family.”
The Cape May County Sheriff’s Office currently has 19 clients on the Project Lifesaver Program. Sheriff Schaffer added, “We are pleased to continue to offer this service free of charge to the citizen’s of Cape May County. This grant along with contributions we receive from businesses and organizations enable us to continue to provide this valuable service. Our officers donate their personal time on a monthly basis meeting with clients, changing batteries and offering assistance. I am very thankful to our officers for their commitment to this program as well as the civic organizations that continue to see the value and support us in this area.”
Additionally, equipment compatibility enables clients of Project Lifesaver and their families to relax and enjoy vacation time. The entire State of New Jersey, and many other parts of the country, is covered by law enforcement agencies utilizing Project Lifesaver. We have the ability to locate Project Lifesaver clients visiting Cape May County, no matter where they live, and other agencies can locate our clients, should they wander while on a trip. All the caregiver needs to do is provide the Law Enforcement agency conducting the search with the Project Lifesaver frequency number. Prior to leaving the state, caregivers should call ahead to their destination to ensure that area is covered by Project Lifesaver.
To learn more about the no-cost enrollment process in Cape May County or to make a donation, please contact Sheriff Officer Paul Shelton Jr. at 465-6831 or email him at pshelton@co.cape-may.nj.us. Information on Project Lifesaver can also be found on the Cape May County Sheriff’s Web site at www.cmcsheriff.net
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