The “Act Relating to Creating the Vermont Silver Alert Program”, S.141 will aim to create an emergency alert system for missing senior residents in the State. Currently the state of Vermont is one of four that does not have the Silver Alert Program implemented. The Department of Public Safety will establish the Vermont Silver Alert Program if passed. The program will aid in the identification and location of missing elders. “Elder” is defined as a missing person 60 years of age or older. If an alert is issued it will be sent to the Federal Communications Commission’s designated state Emergency Alert System and then broadcasted in Vermont. Participating radio and television stations will broadcast the alert at intervals established by the Department. The Department determines what information will be included about the missing elder and how a person with information related to the missing elder should contact. The major intended and anticipated outcomes are to find those who go missing sooner to improve outcomes. The intent is to not have to use this alert at all, though having this will improve the rate to find an elderly person missing while utilizing the resources available.

   If an individual over the age of 60 years old goes missing, this Silver Alert program will be activated. The implementation of this bill is not intended to be used all of the time, it is to be used for an emergency and when the time is appropriate. It is better to have policies in place before it is needed. Looking at both sides of the fence, there are not many reasons as to why someone may not want to implement this bill. The use of this bill is to help the whole State of Vermont and increase protection of vulnerable individuals. If Bill S.141 is implemented, it will affect the geriatric population, along with caregivers in nursing homes, families, etc. Occupational therapists (OT) will be directly affected by this bill because the geriatric community is a major population taken care of by this profession. As OT’s work with the geriatric population it is the duty of the profession to advocate on behalf of their safety and quality of life.