Search and Rescue for Older Adults: Risks and Resources in Oregon

Article Source: Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), December 10, 2025. 

As Oregon’s population ages, the number of older adults who go missing due to cognitive decline, medical conditions, or environmental factors is increasing. These incidents often require urgent search and rescue efforts and can be life-threatening if not addressed quickly. Oregon’s emergency response system includes specialized designed to locate vulnerable older adults. Families also play a critical role in prevention and preparedness.

Click for another related article. Source: AARP

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Why Older Adults Go Missing
​Older adults may go missing for several reasons, most commonly due to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions can cause disorientation, memory loss and impaired judgment, leading individuals to wander from home or care facilities.
Other contributing factors include:

• Sundowning, a condition that causes confusion and agitation in the late afternoon or evening.
• Side effects from medications, such as dizziness or confusion.
• Vision or hearing impairments that make navigation difficult.
• Environmental stressors, such as noise or changes in routine.

When to Report a Missing Person
There is no waiting period to report a missing person in Oregon. If an older adult is missing and believed to be at risk, families should call 911 immediately. Law enforcement agencies are required to begin investigations and enter the missing person into state and federal databases within 12 hours.
Search and Rescue ProtocolsOregon law requires law enforcement agencies to have written policies for investigating missing vulnerable adults. These protocols include:

• Immediate investigation using all available resources.
• Coordination with other agencies and media outlets.
• Officer training on interacting with cognitively impaired individuals.
• Activation of search and rescue teams when criteria are met.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management coordinates statewide search and rescue efforts, supporting more than 1,000 missions annually.

How Families Can Help
Families can take proactive steps to assist search efforts and reduce the risk of a loved one going missing. Be prepared to:

• Provide law enforcement with recent photos, medical information and known routines.
• Share details about favorite locations or past wandering incidents.
• Use GPS tracking devices, such as wearable technology or smart shoe inserts, or smart phone tracking apps like Life360. Technology can significantly reduce search time and improve outcomes.

Preventing Wandering
To mitigate the risk of wandering, families can:

• Work with the older adult's medical team to conduct a wandering risk assessment.
• Work with your loved one to establish structured daily routines.
• Install door alarms or motion sensors.
• Use medical ID bracelets or alert systems.
• Remove access to car keys if driving is unsafe.

Check out the OEM article for more information. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem. For assistance, email [email protected]. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711.