U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is supporting legislation that would create a nationwide alert system that helps find missing adults and seniors suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia and other mentally debilitating diseases.

Schumer says the The Silver Alert Act would be modeled after the AMBER Alert system for missing children. Under the program, federal and local law enforcement officials would work together in finding missing senior citizens throughout New York and across the country.

Schumer stresses the network is critical with missing adults often crossing state and county lines. He says if not found within 24 hours, risk of serious illness or death increases by 50%. He adds 60% of those living with Alzheimer's will go missing during the course of the disease.

Schumer is one of five sponsors of the Silver Alert Act.