Help Finding Missing Texas Elderly | Elder Options of Texas

Eligibility: 65 or older with diagnosed impaired mental condition. Administrator: Texas Department of Public Safety.

Silver Alert

Wandering impacts families and caregivers statewide, affecting those who suffer with various mental conditions, to include Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The state's Silver Alert program was created by Texas legislation in year 2007, designed to notify the public of missing older adults with a documented mental condition.

How to Activate an Alert

All six (6) criteria must be met in order to activate the Network:

Is the missing person 65 years of age or older?
Is the senior citizen's domicile in Texas?
Does the senior citizen have a diagnosed impaired mental condition, and does the senior citizen's disappearance pose a credible threat to the senior citizen's health and safety? (Law enforcement shall require the family or legal guardian of the missing senior citizen to provide documentation from a medical or mental health professional of the senior citizen's condition).
Is it confirmed that an investigation has taken place verifying that the senior citizen's disappearance is due to his/her impaired mental condition, and alternative reasons for the senior citizen's disappearance have been ruled out?
Is the Silver Alert request within 72 hours of the senior citizen's disappearance?
Is there sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the senior citizen?

Click Here to Request Alert Activation

IMPORTANT: Highway signs will be activated only if accurate vehicle information is available AND it is confirmed that the senior citizen was driving the vehicle at the time of the disappearance.

Once the DPS has confirmed a request by law enforcement meets the criteria above, the Texas Division of Emergency Management immediately notifies the following for dissemination of information within the advisory area:

Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies;
Participating media outlets;
Texas Department of Transportation Highway Signs (if applicable per criteria);
Texas Lottery Commission; and
Independent Bankers Association of Texas

What Can You Do?

Public awareness is key toward ensuring expedient access to the Silver Alert Program. Together, we can all help towards saving the lives of others.

It is recommended that all Texas senior citizens, 65 years and older with an impaired mental condition, have acceptable documentation of that condition.
Accepted documentation by the DPS is defined as a signed and dated statement issued on a physician's letterhead diagnosing the mental impairment.
Discuss obtaining proper documentation with caregivers and legal guardians, before a wandering incident takes place.
If a risk for wandering has been identified in the patient, refer the family to the Alzheimer's Association for information on wandering triggers and prevention at www.alz.org or (800) 272-3900.
Encourage families to create a wandering person profile containing the name, date of birth, current photo, physical description, clothing description, documented diagnosis, vehicle information, license plate number, and a list of previous residences and favorite places.

Contact Information:

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
(800) 272-3900
Capital of Texas Chapter
Greater Dallas Chapter
Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter
North Central Texas Chapter
Star Chapter
https://www.alz.org
(800) 272-3900

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PROGRAM
Texas Department of State Health Services
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us
(800) 242-3399

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
https://www.txdps.state.tx.us
(512) 424-2208

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