On Monday morning, Flatwoods, Kentucky  police issued a Golden Alert for a city man who had been reported missing since Sunday.

The man, who suffered from dementia associated with Parkinson’s Disease was not supposed to be driving, however, when his vehicle was also found missing, the cause for concern became clear.

Fortunately, authorities in Mason County, West Virginia were able to locate the man, who was found unharmed later the same day.

Established in many states, Golden and Silver Alert programs serve as “an Amber Alert for seniors,” as Oklahoma Rep. Fred Perry, who introduced one of the earliest versions in his state, put it.

In the case of the Flatwoods man, the issuance of the alert allowed law enforcement in counties throughout the region to become aware of his status, and led to his safe return.

This notification system is a valuable tool in ensuring the safety of seniors, many of whom suffer from Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia associated with advanced age, and all involved in assisting to locate the Kentucky man should be commended.