Background

Wandering is a common problem associated with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Autism. Data show 60% of people with Dementia will wander at some point. A study by the Interactive Autism Network found that 49% of children with Autism will engage in wandering behavior.

Solution

In February 2018, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Bringing Our Loved Ones Home Initiative (now known as L.A. Found), a groundbreaking countywide initiative to help locate individuals with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or who wander. Supervisor Hahn championed this initiative after helping with the search for Nancy Paulikas, a Manhattan Beach resident who suffered from early-onset Alzheimer’s and went missing after she wandered away from her family while visiting Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in October 2016.

Project Lifesaver

The cornerstone of L.A. Found is Project Lifesaver, which provides a voluntary system of trackable bracelets for at-risk individuals. The bracelet works by emitting a radio frequency every couple of seconds. In addition to implementing the Project Lifesaver bracelet system countywide, the  Aging & Disabilities Department, in collaboration with other county departments and stakeholders has the lead responsibility for implementing the 17 recommendations developed by the Bringing Our Loved Ones Home Taskforce, a team of experts and county department staff who work to develop solutions for the problem of wandering.