Both of Clyde Jack’s parents have a form of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

"Alzheimer’s itself is a terrible disease and the wandering, it just scares you to death," Jack, from Coloma, Michigan, explains.

A few years ago, Jack’s father wandered away from home, like many Alzheimer’s patients have been known to do. After police found him four and a half miles from their home, Jack decided to enroll in a program through the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department called, “Project Lifesaver.”

“If they would somehow get lost or take off, we could help the family locate them with responder equipment," explains Marilyn Lauer, President of TRIAD, the group that overseas “Project Lifesaver.” "It's not meant to be a babysitter. It's not meant to be a caregiver. It's meant to be a backup in an emergency.”

After that first incident, Jack’s father wore a bracelet. There are 15 in Berrien County, with more people on a waiting list. The next time Jack’s father wandered away from home, police responded to his house and were able to locate him through a radio frequency.

"Within 12 minutes we had found him," explains Deputy Karen Klug, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department. "If we didn't have this program, it would take hours, days, or even weeks to find someone."

But here’s the problem.

When all television channels switch to Digital Television transmissions February 2009, the frequency, 215 MHz, will be interrupted. That means the police department wants to buy new machines to run on a different frequency.

A fundraiser is being held October 16th to raise money for the new equipment. It will be a “Jimmy Buffet” party from 5-9 p.m. at Moose Family Center, Benton Harbor, Michigan.

The fundraiser includes music, food and a silent auction. Tickets are $20.00. For more information, call (269) 429-7200.

"This situation is only going to get larger as we all age,” Jack says. “Hopefully there will be enough down the line so I can have one on my wrist someday, so my kids don't need to worry."