An Auburn family is desperately searching for 88-year-old Patricia Schrader after she failed to arrive at a Thanksgiving gathering in Grass Valley. Schrader was last seen leaving her Auburn home around 7 p.m. Thursday, bound for a relative's house, but she never made it. Her sister reported her missing when she was about an hour overdue, and police say she is considered at risk because of a documented history of dementia.
What police say
According to CBS Sacramento, Auburn police say Schrader left home at about 7 p.m. Thursday, headed for a family home in Grass Valley, and never showed. Her sister contacted authorities when she was roughly an hour late, and officers noted that Schrader has a known history of dementia. Police say she was driving a blue Honda Civic with California license plate 7GLV185.
Why dementia raises the stakes
The Alzheimer's Association reports that six in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once, and that wandering can quickly turn life-threatening if the person is not found in a short time. The organization advises caregivers to notify police immediately, provide a recent photograph, and share relevant medical information that could help search teams. It also recommends that families prepare a brief profile with identifying features and likely destinations to help speed a safe reunion.
How to help
Police are asking anyone who sees Schrader or her blue Honda Civic (California plate 7GLV185) to call Auburn police at (530) 823-4234, according to CBS Sacramento. Note the location, direction, and time, and share that with officers. Do not approach an at-risk individual alone, and call 911 if she is in immediate danger.
Resources for families
Programs such as the MedicAlert Foundation's Safe Return service maintain nationwide registries and a 24/7 response line that can help law enforcement reunite people who wander. More information is available from MedicAlert. The Alzheimer's Association also operates a 24/7 helpline and local chapters that assist families with prevention strategies and search planning; see Alzheimer's Association resources for guidance. For now, Auburn police remain the primary point of contact for this active missing-person case.
