Project Lifesaver

The Ontario County Sheriff's Office and the Ontario County Office for the Aging are pleased to offer Project Lifesaver to the citizens of Ontario County.

What is Project Lifesaver?

Project Lifesaver is The Reliable Rescue Program for wandering victims of Alzheimer's and related mental disorders.  Project Lifesaver forms partnerships with local law enforcement (The Ontario County Sheriff's Office) and public service agencies (Ontario County Office for the Aging).

Why is it needed?

Over 5,000,000 people in the USA have Alzheimer's and related disorders.  That number will triple by 2050.  Well over 50% of these people wander and become lost.  A lost person with Alzheimer's or other dementia represents a critical emergency.  They are unaware of their situation, they do not call out for help and do not respond to people calling out for them.  Nearly half of them will die and many can become injured or fall victim to predators if they are not located within 24 hours.  The number of families and communities experiencing this risk will grow dramatically in the coming years.

How does it work?

Project Lifesaver combines "tried and true" radio technology with rescue teams from The Ontario County Sheriff's Office.  Clients of Project Lifesaver 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 client's last known location and starts searching with a mobile locator tracking system.  Search times are typically reduced from hours and days down to minutes.

The Project Lifesaver wristband is much more than a passive ID bracelet.  It is a one-ounce battery-operated wrist transmitter emitting an automatic tracking signal every second, 24 hours a day.  As each wristband has a unique radio frequency, the Project Lifesaver search team can locate and identify the person who has wandered away from home or a care facility.

Technology is only half of the story!

Project Lifesaver belongs to each community.  It's about people and partnerships.  Local law enforcement, civic groups, businesses and the caregivers join in developing and strengthening all aspects of the program including rescues, fundraising and education within their hometowns and counties.

Project Lifesaver emphasizes relationships between team members and the people who may wander before the need may arise for a rescue.  Team members visit the home of the bracelet recipients to install the transmitter and make regular visits to maintain the equipment.  Project Lifesaver team members are specially trained, not only in the use of the electronic tracking equipment, but especially in the methods to communicate with a person who has Alzheimer's disease or related disorder.  Locating the individual is only part of the mission.  The person who is located will be disoriented, anxious and untrusting.  The Project Lifesaver team knows how to approach the person, gain their trust and put them at ease for the trip home.

How do I get more information and/or sign up for Project Lifesaver?

Caregivers interested in obtaining Project Lifesaver will be referred to the Ontario County Office for the Aging (OFA) Intake Department at 3010 County Complex Drive Canandaigua, NY 14424, or by phone at (585) 396-4040 or (315) 781-1321.  The Intake Worker will give an overview of the program, caregiver responsibilities and cost.  If the responsible party is still interested in the program, a referral will be completed by the OFA Intake Department.  OFA will send a packet to the Responsible Party to be filled out.  The packet will include:

• An instruction sheet for completing the packet
• Client Profile
• Project Lifesaver Agreement
• Program Contract
• Cost Explanation

The forms must be completed and returned to the Ontario County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) with a check made out to The Ontario County Sheriff for the amount specified from the OFA Intake Worker.  The packet can be returned in person or mailed to the OCSO at 74 Ontario St. Canandaigua, NY 14424, Attention: Project Lifesaver.

Within four days of receiving the packet the OCSO will set up an appointment with the responsible party to place the transmitter with the client.  Copies of the completed documents and a receipt will be sent to the Responsible Party.

At the time the Transmitter is placed with the client, the Client Profile, Program Contract and Caregiver Instruction sheet will be reviewed by Sheriff's Office personnel and the Responsible Party.  The Daily Inspection sheet will be given to the Responsible Party at that time with instructions on how to fill it out.

When the client no longer needs Project Lifesaver a refund of the deposit amount will be sent to the Responsible Party within three weeks after return of the Transmitter to the Sheriff's Office.

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