PLS

If you would like more information on this program or for one of our trained Project Lifesaver staff to come to your home for client evaluation please call or e-mail us. (540) 459-6104 and ask for Sgt Mitch Vernazza
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Project Lifesaver is an innovative and rapidly growing program aiding the victims and families suffering Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders such as Down's Syndrome and Autism. Project Lifesaver uses state-of-the-art technology employing wristband transmitters to locate wandering and lost adults and children.

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 as 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 this decade.

If you are not yet touched in some way by Alzheimer's or related disease, chances are 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 name Project Lifesaver has become internationally recognized as an active and proven program that saves lives. Law enforcement officials and other volunteers from around the USA and Europe come to the Project Lifesaver Headquarters in Chesapeake, Virginia Sheriff's Office for training.

Here is the Transmitter used by Project Lifesaver
This devise is fixed to the arm like a watch or in some cases the ankle. this devise is sealed to resist water and is worn the entire time and never removed unless by PLS staff or Doctor. The devise is costly around $250.00 and the program is run entirely from donations at this time.

How Project Lifesaver Works
Project Lifesaver is much more than a passive ID bracelet. It is an active system that relies on state-of-the-art technology and a specially trained search and rescue team. People who are part of the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized bracelet that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify the local Project Lifesaver agency that the person is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the mobile locater tracking system.. Search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. In hundreds of searches, there have been no reported serious injuries or deaths. Recovery times average less than 30 minutes.

The Project Lifesaver CARE TRAK bracelet is much more than a passive ID bracelet. It is a one-ounce battery-operated radio wrist transmitter emitting an automatic tracking signal every second, 24 hours a day. The signal is tracked on the ground or in the air over several miles. As each bracelet has a unique radio frequency, the Project Lifesaver search team positively locates and identifies the person who has wandered away from home or a care facility.

Here is the Osprey receiver the transmitters emit a burst signal every second and this devise is able to tune the nine digit frequency that is in the 216.000 MHz range

Technology is Only Half the Story

Members of the Project Lifesaver team are specially trained, not only in use of the electronic tracking equipment, but especially in the methods to communicate with a person who has Alzheimer's disease or related disorder. Locating the individual is only part of the mission. The person who is located will be disoriented, anxious, and untrusting. The Project Lifesaver teams knows how to approach the person, gain their trust and put them at ease for the trip back home.

Educational and community awareness programs have been a cornerstone to Project Lifesaver's success. Project Lifesaver team members are also active in presenting information to civic groups, law enforcement agencies and various healthcare providers throughout their communities.

Here is all the equipment used for a search of a PLS client the receiver the headphones and the Yagi antenna array.

act us:

Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office

109 West Court Street

Woodstock Virginia 22664

Fax (540) 459-6114

Office (540) 459-6100

How Project Lifesaver Saves Lives and Community Resources

In Pittsylvania County, Virginia, a 45 year-old man suffering from a traumatic brain injury became lost and disoriented. A deputy sheriff specially trained by Project Lifesaver used a special tracking receiver and was able to locate the man 1.5 miles from his home within 20 minutes,. A traditional search without Project Lifesaver would have normally involved the time (and expense to the taxpayers) of up to 264 searchers and 924 man hours without the special tracking system.

In Chatham, Virginia an 80 year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease wandered from her home at night. The family contacted Project Lifesaver upon learning she was missing. Two Sheriff's vehicles equipped with Project Lifesaver Emergency Responder Units arrived on the scene and within a short time located the woman lying in a tobacco field. She had wandered into the field, had fell, and could not get up. She was found covered with mud. Rescuers reported that a person standing up to 10 ft away from would not have noticed that a person was lying there. The woman was helpless and could have died if not located by Project Lifesaver.

A 79 year-old man with Alzheimer's left his house in Virginia Beach driving his truck. He became lost and could not find his way back home. After searching the neighborhood, A police helicopter was called in with a Project Lifesaver team member and equipment. In just 35 minutes, the helicopter located the man using the signal transmitted from his Project Lifesaver bracelet. He was found 14 miles from his home. Before he became part of Project Lifesaver, he wandered off and was missing for 2 1/2 days.

Alzheimer's Association

10 Signs of Alzheimer's

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What's typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror. What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts.

New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").

What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time. What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. What's typical? Making a bad decision once in a while.

Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What's typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. What's typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.