Family Still Searching for Missing 84-Year-Old

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Summer months are a dangerous time for elderly Oklahomans. There have been six silver alerts in the metro and surrounding areas just this month. All of the missing people returned home safely, except for an 84-year old woman.

It has been 10 days since Georgia Lehar was reported missing. Family members have been searching the metro and surrounding communities, putting up flyers.

"It's like she just disappeared. UFO's just taken her off, it's just very frustrating for us," said Dale Lehar, Georgia's son.

Dale Lehar, is worried for his mother's safety. He said she has dementia and high blood pressure and is without her medication.

"The problem is, is that we didn't recognize how bad it was," said Dale Lehar.

Georgia left her southeast Oklahoma City home in her 2003 Gold Buick Regal, license plate 301-FXB. She was last seen wearing a dark blue blouse and pants. She was seen on July 2 at a Conoco near her home and a day later at a gas station in Harrah.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to call police.

Many families aren't aware of memory problems until their loved one is missing.

"Keep an eye out for the elderly. Check on them if they are your neighbors because they may have went to the store and end up taking a wrong turn and get lost," said Melissa Mahaffey, Executive Director of Cypress Springs Alzheimer's and Memory Support Residence.

Cypress Springs is still under construction, but when finished everything inside and out is designed to keep patients safe.

"Specially designed in our landscaping in addition to the flooring, we will actually have wandering pathways which create a protective way to wander," said Mahaffey.

She said wandering happens more during warmer weather because of the need to get outdoors. Mahaffey said she's not surprised at the high number of silver alerts.

The National Alzheimer's Association has bracelets you can get for a loved one. It has the person's name and a 1-800 number to call once they are found.