A sense of relief has settled over Waukesha as authorities have confirmed that Michael Taylor, a 70-year-old resident diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, has been found safe. Taylor had been reported missing after he went for a walk last Friday and did not return to his home. According to a FOX6 report, he was last observed in the vicinity of Oakdale and Sunset at around 5 p.m. on Friday.
The City of Waukesha Police Department swiftly issued a Silver Alert, a public notification system to quickly locate missing elderly individuals, especially those who are cognitively impaired and unable to properly look after themselves. JSONLINE's coverage described Taylor as a Black male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing around 200 pounds, balding with gray hair and a full beard, and missing the tip of his middle finger on the left hand.
It is a common story for those living with Alzheimer's—memories slip away, freedoms are confined, and loved ones live in fear of the moment when the disease will cruelly remind them of its power, by subtly erasing the routine walk home. "He has little to no short-term memory" due to his condition, as stated by the Waukesha Police Department in a WISN announcement. Taylor's regular appearance, complete with a blue baseball cap sporting a white "M", a light blue Nike sweater, gray Aeropostale sweatpants, and tan shoes, thankfully led him to be recognized and secured.
