An Elderly Lincoln Man Was Found Safe by a Drone in Deep Woods

An elderly man with dementia was found safe in the deep woods of Lincoln, through the use of a drone camera.

The Search

Searching for any missing person must be challenging, but when you're talking about an elderly person with dementia, it has to be especially tough. That person may be hard of hearing, so calling out for them might not be effective. If they're confused, they may not even recognize their name, even if they do hear it, or may not have the presence of mind to call out and signal their location.

So when the Lincoln Police Department received a report on Monday night of a missing man with dementia, they must have known it wouldn't be easy to locate him. The person who called in the report said the man is elderly and was thought to be lost in the woods. They called in the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue Team, Maine Forest Rangers, and K9 units from both the Maine Warden Service and Maine State Police.

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The Rescue

Knowing that they were dealing with some heavy vegetation, the Sheriff's Office used its drone capabilities and located the man, who was lying down in the thick woods. The Deputies were able to guide a Game Warden and Lincoln Police Officer through the terrain and reach the man. He was brought out of the woods and taken by the Lincoln Ambulance Service to the hospital for observation. Officials say the thick woods, cold temperatures, and vast area made it crucial to find him as quickly as possible.

Maine Alzheimer's Association Can Help

If you have a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia, the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office wants you to know that you're not alone. There are many services available to help you navigate their final years and keep them safe. Information about those resources can be found on the Maine Alzheimer's Association website or by calling 1-800-272-3900.