There has been speculation that the Project Lifesaver Program in Indianapolis might be ending. This is not the case. The program is in the process of making the proper changes to serve more of those in need of the service. The program will not add more clients at this moment as we make needed changes. When the program resumes applicants will be handled in the order they are received. Please select the application for services link on our homepage. Complete the form and mail it to the listed address.

Thank You

Captain Michael Pruitt

Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver Indianapolis has changed its client enrollment procedures. As of January 1, 2010 Clients will only be accepted into the program with a law enforcement referral. It is the mission of our group to provide the Project Lifesaver Service to those individuals that have a history of running or wandering from their caregiver. If you have any questions concerning our change in procedure please contact us at 317-246-6273

Project Lifesaver Recognizes Alzheimer's Awareness Month  
Bringing Loved Ones Home – November 2009

Project Lifesaver International, a non-profit organization specializing in training public safety agencies on search and rescue programs to help individuals with cognitive conditions, recognizes November as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

According to the National Institutes of Health as many as 2.4 to 4.5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease - an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and intellectual function. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 60% of those with Alzheimer’s will wander at some point during the progression of the disease – many of them, repeatedly. Over a period of years, the disease leads to the loss of cognitive function and a long period of dependency. Advancing age is the greatest risk factor for the disease - the incidence doubles every 5 years after age 65. The number of people age 65 and older in the United States is projected to double to 72 million by 2030, and the incidence of Alzheimer’s is expected to rise significantly as the nation’s population ages and life expectancies lengthen.

To help combat the issue of wandering, Project Lifesaver helps train public safety agencies to conduct search and rescue efforts by using state-of-the-art technology to find missing persons who wander, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These efforts have drastically reduced search times, and they have helped find loved ones quicker and easier with an average search time of 30 minutes or less. Project Lifesaver agencies have rescued over 2,000 cognitively challenged individuals successfully with no serious injuries or deaths reported. In addition to Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Project Lifesaver would also like to recognize National Family Caregivers Month and thank caregivers for all they do for others.

Project Lifesaver Rescues This Month Involving Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease

Wayne Township Fire Department, Indiana
A 79-year old man with Alzheimer’s disease went missing on October 31 in Indianapolis. It was unknown how long the man had been missing, but rescue teams detected the clients’ signal and began following it using the search equipment. The man was located approximately 3 blocks away in good condition.

Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey
On November 3, an 85-year old female with Alzheimer’s disease disappeared in the evening. The woman was located 26 minutes following the time Project Lifesaver teams arrived on scene. Using search and rescue equipment, the officers were able to locate the woman quickly and in good condition.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia
On November 8, a 72-year old man with Alzheimer’s disease went missing. Specially trained Project Lifesaver search and rescue teams began searching. The subject was located twelve miles from the point last seen and returned home safely with no injuries.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing and serious responsibility. This month, Project Lifesaver encourages all organizations, businesses, and individuals to educate themselves on Alzheimer’s disease and discover ways you can help bring awareness and support to your communities. More information can be found at www.projectlifesaver.org

Project Lifesaver Accepts $890,000 For Education, Awareness, Equipment and Public Policy Efforts to Help Save Lives of Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease Who Wander

Project Lifesaver International, a non-profit organization that helps rescue citizens who are prone to wander due to Alzheimer's disease, autism, and other cognitive disorders, received notification of federal assistance yesterday. The U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs - Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded Project Lifesaver, who is partnering with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, grant funding in the amount of $890,000. This funding will assist in education, awareness, equipment and public policy efforts to help expand the lifesaving program across the country - directly helping individuals, living with Alzheimer's disease, who wander.

The award will help fund the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Assistance Program - an initiative that seeks to: 1) Develop and enhance an outreach program to increase awareness among law enforcement agencies and the public in addressing the needs of people with Alzheimer's disease that wander; 2) To provide training and informational material to law enforcement agencies through a regional or national initiative; 3) Support the development of a public policy that can be implemented nationwide by law enforcement; and 4) Develop a process for aiding in the location of lost persons with Alzheimer's disease.

Gene Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Project Lifesaver, stated, "Project Lifesaver constantly works with local agencies and supporters to bring this program to public safety agencies across the country to protect some of society's most vulnerable citizens. We are honored to receive this award."

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 2.4 to 4.5 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's disease, which is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and intellectual function. Over a period of years, the disease leads to the complete loss of cognitive function and a long period of dependency. Experts estimate that nearly 60% of individuals with Alzheimer's disease will wander at some point during the eight year progression of the disease - many of them, repeatedly. The incidence of Alzheimer's disease is expected to rise significantly as the nation's population ages and life expectancies lengthen, and given that almost 80% of dementia care is provided in the home by family caregivers, in the years to come, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will pose immense financial, physical and emotional challenges for growing numbers of American families and their communities.

Project Lifesaver is the only certified training program in the country for public safety agencies to help those with cognitive conditions who wander. Individuals with cognitive conditions that wander who are enrolled in the program wear a personalized, LoJack SafetyNet, 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 but also on key techniques to address behavioral/communication challenges specific to citizens with cognitive conditions--a skill critical to gaining the missing person's trust and facilitating a safe escort home.

Nationwide, over 1,000 law enforcement agencies are members of Project Lifesaver, which boasts an average find-time of 30 minutes, nearly 2,000 successful searches to date, and a 100% success rate. Since the national average for standard search and recovery missions is 9 hours, this high program efficacy dramatically cuts taxpayer dollars spent on search and rescue, frees up officers for other assignments, and saves lives.

An Indianapolis boy is safe after leading authorities on a 30 minute search near 42nd and Emerson Ave. Indianapolis Metro police said the 10-year-old boy ran away from IPS School 83 Thursday morning. Search crews from Indianapolis Fire, Lawrence Township Fire, Wayne Township Fire and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Authorities said the boy is a special needs student with autism. Fortunately, the boy now wears a tracking device from Project Lifesaver,which aided in the quick recovery of the boy.

The boy was found about five blocks west of the school with a Project Lifesaver electronic receiver. The boys transmitter signal was detected by multiple units from The Lawrence Township FD and Wayne Township FD. Eventually he was he found walking in and around houses very tired,thirsty but uninjured.

At full search, authorities said there were about 55 staffers involved.

“It’s our job, being the fire and police departments, to exhaust all measures until we find those kids. Although it may be expensive or a cost factor, we don’t really look at that," said IMPD Lt. Jeff Duhamell.

It’s a tough task for authorities, who can’t put a cost on human life. But the cost of searching for any missing person can’t be ignored. In good or bad economic times, it costs big money, time, manpower, fuel and helicopter costs.

Fire Authorities said sending out 11 units for the latest search cost at least $250 per unit, per hour just for fire authorities involved. They said in most cases, missing loved ones are not far from home, perhaps even somewhere not seen inside the house.

IFD Division Chief Dave Owens stated "That’s what our search and rescue team is there for. I’d rather spin everything up and out and then we find them in their house, under their bed and they’ll be safe.”

This is third successfull rescue of a missing person on the program since January 1,2009.

On June 12th 2009 Autism Advocates Of Indiana presented a check for $15,000 to Project Lifesaver Indianapolis. The mission of Autism Advocates is to increase and broaden public knowledge and awareness of the behaviors, social issues and emotional needs of individuals on the autism spectrum so that all individuals can participate in and contribute to our community without fear or bias or loss of individuality. This money will be utilized for purchasing more transmitters. Each transmitter cost $300 each with a yearly maintenance fee of $100. With this gracious donation families and caregivers will continue to receive this much needed service for free. This is largest single donation ever received by Project Lifesaver Indianapolis.