NEW HOPE
AUTISM CENTER  Bringing a Message of Hope, Information, Support & Resources
to the Community Touched by Autism.

• Currently 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and the incidence keeps increasing(2008 Alzheimer's Disease Fact and Figures)
• As the United States population ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will increase

           - 13% of the people over 65 have Alzheimer's

           -  42% of the people over 85 have Alzheimer's

           -  In 2011, the 78.2 million baby boomers start turning 65

           -  By 2050, 11 to 16 million people over 65 will have Alzheimer's and 60%

              of people over 85 will have Alzheimer's

• Wandering is the most life-threatening behavior associated with Alzheimer's disease
• There are no ways to predict who will wander or when it will happen, the best advice is to be prepared!
• When people with Alzheimer's wander away from a caregiver, they seldom seek help, do not usually respond to shouts, and leave few physical clues to their whereabouts.
• 69% of wandering cases are associated with severe consequences
• 46% mortality rate if not located within 24 hours

• Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and also leads to wandering behavior(According to the Autism Society of America www.Autism-Society.org)
• 1 in 150 children
• 10-17% annual growth
• 90% of costs are in adult services
• In a recent NAA online survey, 92% of the respondents said their child with Autism was at risk of wandering.

• Many people with Down Syndrome require lifetime care and have potential to wander or be missing (www.NDSS.org)
• One in ever 733 babies is born with Down Syndrome. In the United States today, Down Syndrome affects more than 400,000 people.
• Down Syndrome- "Another big concern we hear from parents is their child wandering off- not because they're angry or running away, but rather, because they simply like to explore the neighborhood."

Impacts on person with Disease or Syndrome

• Wandering and not being found within 24 hours can lead to significant injury or death
• Concerns over wandering causes a need for more supervision limiting the sufferer's abilitiy to do things
• Inability to lead a typical life realtive to the age

Impact on Caregiver

• The consequences of wandering incident range from the sinking feeling of a missing loved one to a tragic lonely death
• Increased strain on caregiver providing care and its effects (e.g. depression, health issues, reduced employment)
• The estimated cost of the 9.8 million "volunteer" caregivers for those with Alzheimer's is $89 billion

Impact on Facility

• Average cost of Assisted Living for someone with Alzheimer's disease is $4000 per month vs. $2000 per month non- Alzheimer's disease patients
• Cost associated with monitoring
• Limitations on outings for people with AD or other wandering illnesses, or additional staff and resources for the outing

Impact on Law Enforement

• Average search without Project Lifesaver and LoJack takes multiple hours, many resources at an average cost of $100-$300K
• Often the search results in unfortunate results ( if not found within 24 hours the person is likely to be found injured or dead)
• Huge negative affects on Law Enforcement after unsuccessful SAR outcomes- low morale and negative PR