L.A. Found Day Webinar
  • October 24, 2024
  • AD Staff Writer
  • News

L.A. Found Day: Celebrating Community Safety

On October 8, 2024, the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed October 15, 2024, as “L.A. Found Day” throughout Los Angeles County, recognizing the life-saving impact of this crucial program. L.A. Found reunites missing individuals wearing its tracking bracelets with their families, making it a worthy cause for celebration.

This proclamation reinforces the County’s unwavering commitment to providing care and support for individuals and families affected by conditions such as Alzheimer’s, other dementias, autism, and cognitive impairments. It ensures that all residents receive the assistance they need in critical times, enhancing their quality of life, safety, and overall well-being.

To further celebrate and promote awareness of L.A. Found, the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department hosted a free, information-packed webinar on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

L.A. Found Webinar

Moderated by Emmy award-winning journalist and NBC 4 anchor, Lynette Romero, the event aimed to raise awareness, share real-life experiences, and address pressing questions about the program’s success and future.

Drawing from her personal experience as the daughter and caregiver of a mother with Alzheimer’s, Ms. Romero brought a heartfelt perspective to the discussion. “My mother, Viola, moved from Colorado to be with us here in California because her disease had progressed so much. She lived with dementia for 10 years, and I’m so grateful that we were able to take care of her and give her all the love that we could possibly give,” she shared.

Romero
Reflecting on her caregiving journey, Ms. Romero expressed how unaware she had been of the resources available to support families like hers. “I didn’t realize how much help was out there—the resources for people, and most importantly, for family members who are helping loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s. I didn’t know that I could reach out for help.” She emphasized the critical role of L.A. Found in supporting caregivers and keeping vulnerable individuals safe. “What’s so important is that we’re all here as a community working together to say, ‘How can we keep our residents safe, keep our family members safe?’ Together, we can make such a huge difference.”
Sheriff Luna
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, highlighted the Sheriff’s Department’s vital role in the L.A. Found program. Sheriff’s Department helicopters, equipped to track the L.A. Found devices, are ready to be deployed whenever a program participant goes missing. “We don’t just fight crime; we also provide compassionate care. These timely interventions prevent tragedies. Response time is critical, and these technologies enable us to act swiftly,” Sheriff Luna explained. He added that 28 successful reunifications have taken place since the program’s founding, saving lives and sparing families years of worry and uncertainty.

Sheriff Luna closed by extending his gratitude to Aging & Disabilities Director Dr. Laura Trejo, praising her inspirational leadership in the program’s success.

Another standout moment of the webinar was the moving story shared by Kirk Moody, whose wife, Nancy Paulikas, inspired the creation of L.A. Found after her tragic disappearance in 2016. His personal account highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated system to locate vulnerable individuals who wander from safety. Reflecting on the impact of L.A. Found, Kirk shared, “I am convinced that if she had been wearing a bracelet from L.A. Found, she would have been found alive.” When asked what Nancy would think about the program, he added, “She would be honored to know that her legacy lives on through this initiative.” He also recounted how Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn took up Nancy’s case, ultimately leading to the creation of L.A. Found, a program that has since become a lifeline for countless families.

As someone living with Down Syndrome, Jordan N. Wall, a board member of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) and Global Messenger for the Special Olympics, shared her unique perspective on the importance of L.A. Found. Proudly showcasing her tracking bracelet with a rainbow-colored wristband, she playfully remarked, “I have [another] one that kind of reminds me of the L.A. Dodgers.”

Jordan’s zest for life was evident as she talked about her passions. “I take lots of dance classes. I also make jewelry. And I recently filmed a movie called Rise and Shine,” she beamed. Known for her curious and adventurous spirit, she added, “I get distracted by looking at ice. That ice is shiny. So, I go over there.”

Her mother, Mary Brown, emphasized the peace of mind L.A. Found provides. “The bracelet certainly makes me feel safer,” she shared. Jordan’s story beautifully illustrated how the program supports her active lifestyle while keeping her safe and independent.

Janet Rivera, shared her family’s experience with L.A. Found, speaking about her autistic son, who also has other special needs. She expressed her relief upon discovering the program and how she later enrolled her mother, who is living with dementia. For Janet, the program offers much-needed peace of mind. “It’s like a security blanket,” she said. “Even the free replacement batteries save us from another trip to the store, which can be challenging in these situations.” Janet added how she actively spreads the word about L.A. Found to other families, particularly friends of her son who are on the spectrum, ensuring more people can benefit from the program’s support.

The need for prompt, effective measures to locate and protect individuals who wander is increasingly urgent. Since its launch in September 2018, L.A. Found has issued over 1,600 voluntary, trackable devices to at-risk individuals across Los Angeles County. The program provides a critical lifeline to those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and autism, offering peace of mind to caregivers and families.

Statistics reinforce the necessity of L.A. Found. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that approximately 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer’s dementia, and 60% of them are at risk of wandering. Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 36 children in the U.S. has been identified with ASD, with 49% of these children prone to wandering from safe settings.

Looking Ahead:

L.A. Found’s success is rooted in the strong collaboration between the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department, caregivers, and technology partners like Project Lifesaver and Theora Care (which utilizes GPS tracking), along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This partnership enables swift action when individuals wearing trackable devices go missing, providing families the priceless relief of being quickly reunited with their loved ones.

As the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and autism continues to rise, the role of L.A. Found will become even more essential. The County remains committed to expanding and improving the program, ensuring that the safety and dignity of vulnerable residents are always a top priority.

For more information about the L.A. Found program, or to learn how you can participate, visit ad.lacounty.gov/lafound

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