Gov. Charlie Crist signed an executive order Wednesday establishing a program to help find missing senior citizens.

Modeled after the Amber Alert program for missing youngsters, the new Silver Alert program will send messages to news media outlets when a person over age 60 with mental impairments cannot be found. Similar programs are used in 10 states, including Georgia and North Carolina.

If the incident involves a vehicle, messages to help find the missing person will be flashed on highway signs.

''The plan that Florida has ensures a prompt and comprehensive response while still ensuring privacy and dignity,'' said Heather Smith, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. ``We think it could save lives.''

Of Florida's 4.3 million residents over the age of 60, about 500,000 may suffer from Alzheimer's, the governor's office said. About 1,800 senior citizens -- not all with cognitive impairments -- were reported missing in 2007, according to FDLE.

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