BILL GAITHER/The Register-Mail

Barb Brown holds a couple of the key components of the Project Lifesaver tracking system: a battery-operated indicator that will be placed on a wristband, and a transmitter tester to check effeciency of the tracking module.

Group looks to track wanderers

Program provides bracelets for Alzheimer's patients and others

Friday, September 22, 2006

By CIGI ROSS

The Register-Mail

The program has 14 transmitter bracelets available to keep tabs on wanderers, but no one is using them. The bracelets are designed for people with Alzheimer's, autism or Down syndrome to wear. If the wearer wanders away from a caregiver, a call to 911 begins a search and rescue in the area. According to Project Lifesaver, the person can be tracked down within 30 minutes.

Project Lifesaver was founded in July 2005 after Barb Brown, a Project Lifesaver board member, attended a Pilot Club convention and heard about the idea. After receiving a $9,000 donation from local chiropractor Dr. Jeffrey Hayden and raising an additional $3,000 on its own, Project Lifesaver of Knox County bought the necessary radio equipment, training and 14 bracelets. Now three locations have receivers that can locate the bracelets: the Knox County Sherrif's Department, the Knoxville Fire Department and the Oak Run first responders.

Project Lifesaver hoped to have the program up and running by September, but so far only two people have tried the bracelets. No one is currently in the program.

Brown said they tried the bracelet on a woman in advanced stages of Alzheimer's but she cut the bracelet off herself. They also used the bracelet on the ankle of a young girl with autism but she didn't like wearing it.

The bracelets work, Brown said, but the program hasn't been effective in getting bracelets on the people who need them.

"We need people," she said. "It doesn't do any good to have this stuff if you're not helping people."

The cost of each transmitter is $300. Brown said Project Lifesaver owns the bracelets and charges a $30 rental fee for use. The fee will cover the cost of replacing the transmitter's battery and the wrist band each month. One of Project Lifesaver's trained volunteers will perform the maintenance.

The program also has developed a financial aid program that will assist with the fee if a family is unable to provide it. Brown said the group wants to help everyone it can.

"We just need to get the bracelets on people," she said.

Brown said the program also is looking for volunteers to receive training or serve on Project Lifesaver's board.

For more information on how to get a bracelet, volunteer opportunities or to receive training for Project Lifesaver of Knox County, call president Beckey Condreay at 342-3007 or board member Barb Brown at 322-3094.