Project Lifesaver bracelets
protect those who wander
By Queenie Wong
Richard Irvine, 90, doesn't seem to know where he's going when he wanders away from The Mayflower, an assisted-living facility in Lexington.
In the beginning his objective was to return home, but now his daughter, 68-year-old Betty Shaman, says he's become more absent-minded.
"He's confused beyond that point," said Shaman.
Doctors believe Irvine suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Because of his age, it is difficult to distinguish between the two conditions, Shaman said.
But a Project Lifesaver bracelet, now on Irvine's ankle, has made it easier to find him. The bracelet contains a transmitter that emits a signal every second. Police officers are able to track the signal with a mobile locator.
"It doesn't worry me that much now… when he gets out," said Shaman.
Irvine has wandered away from the facility for the elderly four or five times in the last three years, she said.
Within the last 10 years, one man died after he wandered away from The Mayflower.
Motty Moore, director of nursing at the facility, said she remembers the incident. The death encouraged the workers to persuade residents to sign up for Project Lifesaver, she said.
"Project Lifesaver... is a lifesaver," said Moore.
Project Lifesaver is a program that helps people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, autism or other related mental dysfunction disorders. It includes people from all age groups, Buena Vista Police Cpl. Mitchell Harrison said.
"[The program] is a peace of mind for these families," he said.
Harrison is a certified instructor for the program. He teaches a two-day course in which police officers learn to use the program's equipment.
Each transmitter costs $400 to $500, he said. Clients of the program also pay a maintenance fee every month. Shaman pays $20 a month.
The Chesapeake Sheriff's Office, in southeast Virginia, started the program, now branching internationally, in 1999. Rockbridge County followed suit in February 2002.
Although rescues are not that common in Rockbridge County, Lexington Police Sgt. Mark Riley said he believes the program is important, even though rescues of people like Irvine are not common. Like Harrison in Buena Vista, Riley used the phrase "peace of mind" to describe its benefit.
The Lexington Police Department has distributed three bracelets, while the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office has about four clients. Buena Vista currently has none.
Signing up for the program is easy, but when clients don't fulfill their end of the contract they can be dropped, Harrison said. The transmitter, which must be on the client at all times, has to be tested every day to ensure that the signal works. The battery in the bracelet has to be replaced monthly.
At first, Shaman said, the bracelet aggravated her father. He cut the first one off, but now it doesn't bother him. Workers at The Mayflower test the ankle bracelet while he's asleep, she said.
Project Lifesaver International has helped search-and-rescue groups and law-enforcement agencies locate more than 1,600 people since its formation.
"I think the program works great," said Shaman.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead Supervisor:
Prof. Brian Richardson
Prof. Phylissa Mitchell
Reporting supervisors:
Prof. Doug Cumming
Prof. Pamela Luecke
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd