In the Search and Rescue community, there is a classification of people who go missing that are classified as "Walk Aways".  The Walk Away group consists of people with Alzheimers, Autism and Downs Syndrome.  It is very important for the family members and caretakers of the Walk Away group to be in contact with their local associations for information sharing and referral, education, and support. 

Alzheimers:

As many as 60% of the 5.1 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will display wandering behaviors at some point in the disease process. Sometimes wandering is little more than continual pacing within a small area, but it can often lead to the individual becoming separated from their caregiver.  

The primary responsibility of the caregiver and the NUMBER ONE effort to keep an Alzheimer patient safe is Prevention from Wandering.  Education on Prevention of Wandering can be found at http://www.alz.org/texascapital/

In the event that an Alzheimer's patient does go wandering and gets lost it is EXTREMELY important to contact 911.  It is estimated that if an elderly person with Alzheimers is missing longer than 24 hours that up to 25% of them will be found deceased.  Travis County Search and Rescue studies and is familiar with the Lost Person Behavior of Alzheimers patients and is an asset that should be contacted by Law Enforcement to assist in the search for the missing person.