Watching Out For Ontario's Most Vulnerable Seniors

 
Watching Out For Ontario's Most Vulnerable Seniors
 
 
 

May 25, 2011 10:00 AM

McGuinty Government Develops Silver Advisory, Seniors With Dementia Better Protected

Ontario is developing a program to help quickly find seniors with Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments when they are missing.

The program will establish a standard province-wide model that communities can use to alert the public when vulnerable seniors go missing and may be in danger. The program will be the first of its kind in Canada.

The Silver Advisory program is being developed in partnership with seniors and health organizations, the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), municipal police services and broadcasters.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • Over 180,000 Ontarians have some form of dementia -- that number is expected to increase 40 per cent by 2020.
  • Almost one quarter of the population of Ontario, or 4.2 million people, will be over the age of 65 by 2036.
  • Six out of 10 seniors with cognitive impairments will wander from their home or caregiver at least once.
  • Nearly 95 per cent of persons who wander from home are found within a quarter mile of their home or last location seen.



Office of the Premier
ontario.ca/premier


 
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"We have a shared responsibility to look out for one another. When a mom or dad or grandparent with Alzheimer's or dementia is missing, this program will get the word out so that our loved ones are found quickly."

 – Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario

"I personally understand how devastating it can be when a loved one goes missing. This program will help families have peace of mind, knowing that their loved ones can be found quickly and safely."

 – Sophia Aggelonitis
Minister Responsible for Seniors

"The OPP is committed to ensuring public safety and security, including society's most vulnerable people. We look forward to being part of the development and implementation of this important program."

 – Chris Lewis
Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police

"Missing seniors is getting to be a bigger problem as our population ages. This is the right time to get all the parties together and develop a strategy that will help us find wandering seniors quickly and return them to their loved ones."

 – Robert Herman
President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police

 
 
 
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