Shown is a Life Tracker bracelet with housing and multiple transmitters. (Courtesy photo)

Families who face a memory-related diagnosis for their loved ones have a great resource in Marquette County to keep their family member safe.

The Life Tracker program provides transmitter wristbands to families to help in the safe return of an individual who may wander. It is an active response to the problem of locating those with Alzheimer’s disease, autism or others who may stray from home.

“The sheriff’s department has been a part of this project for many years,” said Lt. Brian Kurin of Marquette County Search & Rescue. “It’s specifically geared toward people who have some sort of cognitive deficiency and have a tendency to wander. In the case that they do, it helps us find them quickly and bring them back to their families.”

If a Life Tracker client wanders, the caregiver notifies 911 immediately and the search-and- rescue team springs into action.

“Life Tracker relies on a unique radio tracking signal – they’re kind of assigned a number, if you want to think of that way – so the sheriff’s office can use our equipment to tune to that number and find the person,” Kurin said.

When caregivers notify Central Dispatch that a person is missing, a search-and-rescue team responds to the wanderer’s area and starts searching with the mobile locator tracking system. The signal can be tracked on the ground or in the air over several miles.

“It makes locating the person much quicker,” Kurin said. “Sometimes we can find them in just minutes.”

The average rescue time for people in this program is less than 30 minutes.

“This can be an invaluable tool if people take advantage of it before a crisis happens,” said Marquette County Aging Services & RSVP director Kristy Basolo. “If you have a loved one who is still able-bodied but has memory slips or gets confused, being proactive by taking advantage of this program is important. It’s too late once they’re lost.”

Clients in need can be enrolled in the Life Tracker program through the AmeriCorps Seniors Marquette County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program office. The program coordinator then schedules a volunteer to visit with the caregiver and client, and the client is fitted with a Life Tracker device.

“Volunteers are trained to change batteries and maintain units,” Basolo said. “The device’s transmitter is tested daily by the caregiver and a program volunteer visits every few months to install a new battery.”

Project Life Tracker is run by volunteers from Marquette County Triad, which is a group partnership between the county’s other law enforcement agencies and RSVP. Triad provides an opportunity for the exchange of information between law enforcement, senior citizens and senior service providers. It focuses on reducing unwarranted fear of crime and improving the quality of life for seniors.

“We also are always looking for volunteers to help facilitate this program,” Basolo said. “If you’re 55 or better, give us a call to see what opportunities are available.”

While there is no charge due to grants available from RSVP of Marquette County, donations are welcomed. Call Marquette County RSVP & Aging Services at 906-315-2607 or email AgingServices@mqtco.org for details.