Supporting Safe Returns for People Living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia

When a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia goes missing, every minute counts. In Illinois, the Silver Search program was created to ensure a swift and coordinated response to bring missing individuals home safely. Established through legislation that took effect on January 1, 2016, Silver Search is a statewide initiative designed to raise awareness, educate the public, and provide essential tools and resources to help locate and safely return people with Alzheimer’s or dementia who wander or become lost.

The Silver Search Task Force: A Statewide Collaboration

To make Silver Search possible, a dedicated task force was formed to unite state agencies, organizations, and advocacy groups in a shared mission: protecting vulnerable individuals and supporting their families. The Silver Search Task Force meets regularly to address public safety needs, improve communication between agencies, and develop educational materials and response protocols.

Participating members include:

• Illinois State Police

• Illinois Tollway Authority

• Alzheimer’s Association

• Illinois Broadcasters Association

• Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

• Illinois Department on Aging

• Illinois Department of Transportation

• AARP

• Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board

• Illinois Secretary of State

• Illinois Lottery

Through this collaboration, Silver Search continues to strengthen community awareness and enhance the state’s ability to respond quickly and effectively when someone with dementia goes missing.

What Is an Endangered Missing Person Advisory?

A key component of the Silver Search initiative is the Endangered Missing Person Advisory—a voluntary partnership among law enforcement, local broadcasters, and other public partners designed to quickly alert the community when a person is missing and believed to be in danger.

The advisory is activated by local law enforcement and shared broadly through multiple channels to engage the public’s help in locating the missing person.

Criteria for an Endangered Missing Person Advisory include:

• The person is missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances.

• The individual is believed to be in danger due to age, health, or mental or physical disability, or because of environmental factors or possible exposure to harm.

• There is sufficient public information available that could help in the safe recovery of the person.

• The situation does not meet the criteria for an AMBER Alert.

How Does the Public Receive Silver Search Alerts?

When an Endangered Missing Person Advisory is issued, information is shared across a variety of platforms to maximize visibility and mobilize the community’s help. Notifications may be sent via email, fax, radio and television broadcasts, text messages, and law enforcement bulletins.

In addition, partnerships with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway Authority allow for messages to be displayed on interstate and tollway digital signs when a missing person may be driving or traveling in a vehicle. The Illinois Lottery also contributes by displaying alerts on digital lottery terminals across retail locations—helping spread critical information to as many people as possible.

Working Together to Keep Illinois Safe

Silver Search represents the power of community, awareness, and collaboration. By uniting law enforcement, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and the public, Illinois has built a model that saves lives and supports families affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

You can play a role too—stay alert to Silver Search advisories, share information when you see it, and learn more about how to support individuals and families living with dementia in your community.

For more information about Silver Search and resources for families affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter.