Most of us have known someone with, or directly affected by Alzheimer's disease. The degenerative brain disorder strikes more that 4 million Americans each year, and as our population ages, that number is expected to rise dramatically. Today, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting 10 percent of people 65 years old, and nearly 50 percent of those age 85 or older.

Alzheimer's disease usually begins gradually, causing a person to forget recent events and to have difficulty performing familiar tasks. The disease attacks brain neurons or nerve cells, progressively interfering with a person's emotions, movement coordination, and memory. Simple tasks become increasingly difficult; familiar faces become those of strangers. This dementia robs victims of their relationships and their self-sufficiency, and often, loved ones feel it is devastation just as strongly. Communication becomes difficult as the person struggles to find words, finish thoughts, or follow directions. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer's become totally unable to care for themselves. The burden on the family and loved ones becomes almost unbearable, and when a crisis arises with an Alzheimer's victim the family may not know what to do. This is the most common time when the police are called to step in and assist, whether it's to attempt to calm a victim down or locate a victim that's wandered away

The Twin Cities Police Authority has developed a community based program in an attempt to alleviate some of the stress involved surrounding an Alzheimer's victim. The Police Authority will, free of charge, come to a person's home. Once there, the officer will provide information surrounding Alzheimer's. The officer will also provide a data collection sheet and take a digital photograph of the person. The data sheet will be filled out by a family member and returned to the police. This data and photo will be entered into the police database and kept at the police dept. Should a situation arise with a loved one who wanders away, all a family member has to do is contact the police and advise us. The police dept. will already have all the vital and pertinent information needed to properly assist in locating the person. This streamlining alleviates undo stress on the family by not forcing them to attempt to locate the information needed by the police - the police will already have it. Should it be needed, a flyer can be immediately printed and sent to local police jurisdictions.

This program is voluntary and strictly confidential. It is in an attempt to give a family member or caregiver one less thing to worry about should a crisis arise. Please rest assure that this is an attempt to put at ease the minds of those people around an Alzheimer's victim who live in our communities.

If you wish to register your loved one or would like more information, please contact Officer Gordon Terrell/Twin Cities Police Authority at 927-5150 or by email Arrangements will be made to accomplish this task as soon as possible.