Alzheimer's Facts:

Currently 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and the incidence keeps increasing (2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures)

As the U.S. populations ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will increase

13 percent of people over 65 have Alzheimer's
42 percent of people over 85 have Alzheimer's
In 2011, the 78.2 million baby boomers start turning 65
By 2050, 11 to 16 million people over 65 will have Alzheimer's and 60 percent of people over 85 will have Alzheimer's

The numbers are expected to triple or quadruple by 2050
Currently the U.S. makes up 20 percent of those suffering from Alzheimer's disease
The largest growth is expected in Asia Pacific, especially in China and India, where cultural context and negative stigmas may make a service like Project Lifesaver very slow to be adopted.
The opportunity outside of the U.S. is at least as large as in the U.S.

Wandering is the most life-threatening behavior associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Source: Alzheimer's Association)

Occurs at any stage of the disease (SAR Research website)
There is no way to predict who will wander or when and how it might happen. The best advice for caregivers is to be prepared!
When people with Alzheimer's wander away from a caregiver, they seldom seek help, do not usually respond to shouts, and leave few physical clues to their whereabouts.
69 percent of wandering cases are associated with severe consequences.
46 percent mortality rate if not located within 24 hours

59 percent of people affected with Alzheimer's disease wander during course of disease (Alzheimer's Association), but estimates go up to 67 percent since many wandering incidence not reported to Law Enforcement

45 percent of those cases end tragically in death if the person is not located within 24 hours
Over 125,000 people with AD critically wander each year in the US

Only ~34,000 are reported to police
89 percent of the time the person is found within 1.2 km of home but only 14 percent of time on the road, so often hard to find

Autism Facts:

Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability and also leads to wandering behavior (According to the Autism Society of America: www.Autism-Society.org)

As of October 2009, two new government studies indicate about 1 in 100 children have autism disorders
The new estimate means approx 673,000 American children have autism
One study from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, based on telephone surveys, said parents reported that approx. 1 in 91 children, ages 3 to 17, had autism including milder forms such as Asperger's syndrome
Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with autism. â€“ Autism Speaks
10-17 percent annual growth
90 percent of costs are in adult services
For individuals who run away or leave the home without supervision (also referred to as "elopement"), having locks on the doors can prevent them from leaving.
In a recent NAA online survey, 92 percent of the respondents said their autistic child was at risk of wandering.

Down Syndrome Facts:

Many people with Down syndrome require lifetime care and have the potential to wander or be missing (www.NDSS.org)

One in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome. In the United States today, Down syndrome affects more than 400,000 people.
Down syndrome: Another big concern we hear from parents is their child wandering off - not because they're angry or running away, but rather, because they simply like to explore the neighborhood.

Wandering Impacts:

Wandering and not being found within 24 hours can lead to significant injury or death
Concern over wandering causes a need for more supervision limiting the sufferer's ability to do things
Inability to lead a normal life relative to the age

The consequences of a wandering incident range from the sinking feeling of a missing loved one to a tragic lonely death
Increased strain on caregiver providing care and its effects (e.g. depression, health issues, reduced employment)

The estimated cost of the 9.8 million "volunteer" caregivers for those with Alzheimer's is $89 billion

Average cost of Assisted Living facility for someone with Alzheimer's disease is ~$4000/month vs. ~$2000/month or non-AD patients
Costs associated with monitoring (e.g. a security system that warns when a resident with limited rights is leaving the building)
Limitations on outings for people with AD or other wandering illnesses, or additional staff and resources for the outing

Impact on Law Enforcement (required by law to search for those with diminished (mental) capacity that go missing)

Average search without PLI and LoJack SafetyNet takes multiple hours, many resources at an average cost of $100-350K

"Before Project Lifesaver a search would take 7-9 hours and 40-60 officers, now it takes an average of 12 minutes and 2 officers." -- Ed Rochford, Morris County, NJ

Often the search results in unfortunate results (if not found within 24 hours the person is likely to be found injured or dead)
Huge negative affect on Law Enforcement after unsuccessful SAR outcomesâ€“ low morale and negative PR

Source: Project Lifesaver