When an elderly person with Alzheimer’s goes missing, time is a critical factor — and community awareness can play a meaningful role in a safe recovery. In Des Moines, a situation that prompted public concern ended with welcome news for one local family.
Des Moines police confirmed that an 83-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease, who had been reported missing, was found safe and reunited with her family. The announcement came Friday morning, following a public alert issued Thursday asking for community assistance in locating her.
Authorities had last seen the woman walking near a Price Chopper grocery store in the Beaverdale neighborhood shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday. Officers sought the public’s help after she was reported missing, and the search concluded successfully the following morning when police confirmed she had been found.
Prompt reporting and community awareness are considered key factors in the safe recovery of missing persons with dementia. When law enforcement reaches out to the public in cases like this, the widespread sharing of information can help bring vulnerable individuals home safely.
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