Elderly man with dementia found safe after walking 7 miles

L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn holds a trackable bracelet. Courtesy photo

DOWNEY — An elderly Downey resident with Alzheimer’s disappeared last week but was found safe thanks to a tracking device he was wearing.

The man, identified only as Angel, was with family members at Banc of California stadium on July 26 when he wandered away.

Despite using a walker, Angel was able to walk 7.1 miles away from the stadium before he was located. He was treated for exposure.

Police were able to find Angel because he was wearing a tracking bracelet provided by L.A. County as part of its Found Program. The voluntary program offers tracking bracelets to people with Alzheimer’s, autism, dementia, or another cognitive impairment that puts them at risk of wandering.

Since the bracelets were offered in September 2018, approximately 346 trackable bracelets have been distributed to L.A. County residents. For details on how to obtain a free bracelet, visit LAfound.com.