Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver is sponsored by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office in partnership with the Department of Aging, the Leonardtown Rotary Club, and corporate sponsor MedStar St. Mary's Hospital. Project Lifesaver is a personalized tracking system used to locate victims of Alzheimer's and other related mental dysfunction disorders. These patients frequently wander from their homes and loved ones, and are unable to assist in their own rescue.
The Problem:
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among people aged 65 or older.
- Victims of Alzheimer's and other related mental dysfunction disorders, including Down syndrome and autism, tend to wander from their homes.
- A full search and rescue team to locate and Alzheimer's patient is extremely costly in terms of human and financial resources.
- If a person is not found within 24 hours, they are less likely to be found alive.
The Solution: Project Lifesaver
- Uses up-to-date technology using watch-sized transmitters.
- Tracks with trained personnel using receivers.
- Utilizes trained volunteers to make monthly home visits to inspect and update transmitters.
- Is designed to reassure and comfort the family and caretaker, while safeguarding the victim.
For more information, contact the Sheriff's Office coordinator Cpl. William Rishel at 301-475-4200 ext. 8097 or William.Rishel@stmaryscountymd.gov, or visit the Project Lifesaver website at http://www.projectlifesaver.org. Program participation is free but donations are accepted.
For more information on Alzheimer's disease, visit the Alzheimer's Foundation of America website at http://www.alzfdn.org