Missing Elberta Woman With Dementia Found Safe in Florida
An Elberta woman with dementia who drove away from a Pensacola medical facility while her husband had a procedure has been found safe by the Florida Highway Patrol.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A missing Elberta woman living with dementia is safe after the Florida Highway Patrol located her following a multi-county search that began when she drove away from a Pensacola medical facility. The 79-year-old had last been seen Thursday morning, Nov. 5, while her husband was undergoing a procedure inside.
Authorities have confirmed she was found safe. Officials did not release details about exactly where or when troopers located her.
How the Missing Elberta Woman Became Separated From Her Husband
The Baldwin County couple had traveled to Pensacola for a procedure the husband was scheduled to have. At about 10:39 a.m. Thursday, the woman was seen leaving the surgical center on Hewitt Street while he was still being treated.
Investigators said her dementia left her unable to recognize where she was. Her husband also told authorities she no longer remembers how to use GPS navigation, which raised concerns that she could become lost on unfamiliar roads. Officials noted the couple had no known ties to the Pensacola area, making it unlikely she was heading to a familiar place nearby.
A Search That Stretched Across the Florida Panhandle
She was believed to be behind the wheel of a gold 2015 Volkswagen Passat with an Alabama license plate. Authorities said the car had no obvious damage or distinguishing features that would make it easier to pick out on the road.
Her last known location placed her traveling east, presumably on Interstate 10, in Ponce de Leon. That small community in Holmes County is well over an hour’s drive east of Pensacola, meaning she had already covered a significant distance.
Florida authorities issued a BOLO, short for be on the lookout, and notified the Florida Highway Patrol as well as surrounding counties. That coordinated alert put troopers and deputies along the I-10 corridor on watch for the gold sedan.
Before she was found, authorities shared a description that included shoulder-length gray hair, a height of 5 feet 6 inches and a weight of about 107 pounds. She was last seen in gray sweatpants, brown shoes, a light blue T-shirt and a long-sleeve brown jacket.
Found Safe by State Troopers
The Florida Highway Patrol ultimately located the woman, and officials reported that she is safe. Because she has been found, South Alabama News is not publishing her name.
Elberta, where she and her husband live, is a small town in southern Baldwin County, east of Foley and a relatively short drive from the Florida state line.
Why Dementia-Related Disappearances Are So Serious
People living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are at elevated risk of wandering or becoming disoriented, even in places they know well. When a vehicle is involved, the danger can grow quickly. A driver who is confused may keep going for hours, miss exits, run low on fuel or end up far from home with no idea how to get back.
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that a majority of people with dementia will wander at some point, and it encourages caregivers to plan ahead. Common recommendations include:
- Keeping a recent photo and an up-to-date description of the person, including medical information, ready to share with law enforcement.
- Considering whether it is still safe for the person to drive, and securing car keys if it is not.
- Using a medical identification bracelet or a location-tracking device designed for people with memory loss.
- Calling 911 immediately if a loved one with dementia goes missing, rather than waiting.
Both Florida and Alabama operate alert programs aimed at quickly locating missing adults with cognitive impairments, and law enforcement agencies frequently share lookout notices across county and state lines in cases like this one.
Resources for Caregivers
Families caring for someone with memory loss can find guidance, safety planning tools and a free 24/7 helpline through the Alzheimer’s Association. Information about the troopers who located the woman is available from the Florida Highway Patrol.
For more news from the area, visit our Elberta and public safety sections.
