Project Lifesaver Program

The effective rescue program for persons with Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders who may wander and become lost.

What is Project Lifesaver?

Project Lifesaver was established in April of 1999 as an initiative of the 43rd Search and Rescue Company of the Chesapeake, Virginia, Sheriff's Office. It is a national program now operating in more than 30 states. In Kentucky, the State Coordinator is the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Project Lifesaver in Franklin County is sponsored by the Lions Club of Frankfort.

What is the mission?

Project Lifesaver's mission is to use state-of-the-art technology in searching for and rescuing persons with Alzheimer's Disease and other related disorders who become lost.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are about 4.5 million people in the U.S. with Alzheimer's. The Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association estimates that there are about 3,000 Alzheimer's sufferers in Fayette County. About 50% of them are prone to wander. According to public safety experts, a lost person with Alzheimer's or other dementia represents a critical emergency, since more than half of them will become injured, fall victim to predators, or die if not found within 24 hours.

How does it work?

Project Lifesaver is an active system that relies on state-of-the-art technology and specially trained search and rescue (SAR) teams from LFUCG fire, police, and sheriff's personnel. People in the program wear a personalized bracelet that emits a tracking signal. When care givers notify agencies that the person is missing, a SAR team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with the mobile locator tracking system. According to National Project Lifesaver Headquarters, search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. The Project Lifesaver CARE TRAK bracelet 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. Each bracelet has a unique radio frequency. Bracelets must be serviced and receive new batteries once a month.

What does it cost?

There is a cost. Patients or care givers pay an initial $280 for the use of the bracelet and $7.60 a month for maintenance and battery changing. Because each transmitter has a unique frequency, it must be returned when no longer needed. Private and corporate funding is being sought for the purchase of equipment and providing scholarships to reduce the cost to patients.

For Enrollment

LFUCG Department of Social Services
200 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40507
Attn: Ms. Robyn Pease, Coordinator of Aging Services
(859) 258-3806

For General Information and/or Financial Donations

Community Partnership Action Council (CPAC)
Attn: Officer Steven Gaunce
LFUCG Division of Police
150 East Main Street
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 258-3629

Link to Project Lifesaver Association - www.projectlifesaver.org

Participating Agencies

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Office of the Mayor
Urban County Council
Department of Social Services
Division of Police
Division of Fire
Office of the Fayette County Sheriff
Community Partnership Action Council (CPAC)
Alzheimer's Assoc. of Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana
Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging
UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center