COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – To raise awareness for a new Amber Alert-style system, “Silver Search,” designed to help law enforcement help find missing people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and provide additional resources to caregivers, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is partnering with St. Johns’ Community Care Center to host a free “Living with Alzheimer’s Disease” seminar on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Collinsville Memorial Library Center, located at 408 W. Main St. in Collinsville.
“It is important that we take care of our senior citizens in any way possible, and the new Silver Search program will make sure that our family members, friends and loved ones are kept safe,” said Stuart. “If you see any notice of a missing senior citizen on a tollway billboard or lottery terminal through Silver Search, please keep your eyes open, you may be able to bring a family back together.”
Nationwide, five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a number that is expected to triple over the next 25 years. Lawmakers, law enforcement and organizations like the AARP and Alzheimer’s Association developed the Silver Search program to help law enforcement find reported missing persons with Alzheiemer’s disease and other forms of dementia. More information on the Silver Search program can be found at www.silversearchillinois.org.
“The Alzheimer’s seminar that I’m hosting with St. John’s Community Care Center will give caregivers, family members and those living with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia valuable insight on possible financial resources such as long-term care insurance or state programs that support those with Alzheimer’s, along with potential sources of help and different residential options,” Stuart continued. “There is no charge to attend this event, but please reserve your spot by calling my constituent services office at 618-365-6650, or by email at repkatiestuart@gmail.com.”