The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA has awarded grant funding to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, in Punta Gorda, Fla., for their Project Lifesaver International Program. The $5,000 grant will help serve more people in the community affected by dementia who wander, and increase safety.
“AFA strongly believes in helping grassroots organizations provide the hands-on programs and services that help individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses continue to live meaningful lives,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “We are proud to help the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office further its efforts in serving the people of Charlotte County.”
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office serves the people and visitors of Charlotte County by providing professional law enforcement, detention and court security. They focus on public safety and that includes their Project Lifesaver International program. The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who wander due to Alzheimer’s, autism, and other related conditions or disorders. People who are part of the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized wristband that emits a tracking signal. When caregivers notify the Sheriff’s Office that the person is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer’s area and starts searching with the mobile locator tracking system. Search times have been reduced from hours and days to mere minutes.
“This grant provides us the ability to offer Project Lifesaver to residents who cannot afford the costly equipment,” stated Sheriff Bill Prummell. “We are grateful for the opportunity to expand this lifesaving program.”
AFA is able to provide vital services, like this grant, as a result of the generosity of individual contributions, sponsorships and fundraising activities. To help support these initiatives, visit https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/. For more information about AFA membership and grant opportunities, visit http://www.alzfdn.org/AFAServices/aboutAFAgrants.html.
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