TN's Silver Alert Application for Prevention and Recovery of Vulnerable Persons

Tennessee’s growing population is increasingly impacted by dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and developmental disabilities. As of 2020, Tennessee has the second highest mortality rate from dementia; previously holding the highest rate in 2017. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention ranks Tennessee having the nation’s fourth-highest Alzheimer’s death rate in the country.  In 2018, Tennessee was reported among states with the greatest number of licensed drivers 65 and older (exceeding 1 million), and as having one of the highest shares of driving fatalities involving an older driver.  Of the 87 Silver Alerts issued in the last 10 months by the TBI, 8 were deceased when located and 9 of the 87 were located out of state.

Further complicated by a lack of required dementia training for Tennessee law enforcement, and at-risk persons being cared for by 439,000 informal caregivers; the volume of need outweighs existing resources despite significant efforts made by partner organizations. Therefore, as the primary criminal investigative agency responsible for missing person alerts for the state, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation seeks to utilize grant funds to: 

Increase Community Engagement in Prevention and Recovery of At-Risk Citizens,
Decrease the Likelihood of At-Risk Seniors Being Found Deceased or Out-of-State, and
Improve Law Enforcement Interactions with Persons Experiencing Alzheimer’s, Related Dementias, and Developmental Disabilities.

Through building of a mobile app resources, developing best practice protocol for the state, and implementing public awareness, and training activities, the TBI and its partners anticipate: a reduction in at-risk persons located deceased or out of state by 5% of Silver Alerts issued, and a reduction in the average time it takes for a missing person to be located by 20% from the point of time a Silver Alert is issued until completed through the following deliverables:

300 persons will have completed and stored Personal Profile Form
1,000 stakeholders will receive information regarding the Silver Alert Program and steps to support recovery of missing persons
250 caregivers will learn about and receive and Silver Alert Kit
1,000 purple cards will be distributed to law enforcement/first responders
100 law enforcement/first responders will participate in an IACP Alzheimer’s training
10 presentations will be provided at partner events
2 live virtual presentations/overviews will be offered
a minimum of 70 local LE officers will participate in a search and rescue training
An online, POST certified training will be developed