EL PASO, Tx. - A bill designed to help family members locate lost loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia passed in the Texas house Monday.

It was one year ago this month that Irma Cruz's 89-year-old father Fierro became disoriented, wandered off, and died. The tragic event prompted Representative Joe Picket to take action. 

Pickett sponsored a bill to establish a 'Silver Alert', which will piggyback of existing Amber Alert technology. It could be activated locally, regionally or statewide.

Fierro tells ABC-7, "We put a lot of importance on our youth and our children we need to put the same importance on people with Alzheimer's and dementia we have to know that they are children that are afraid."

The reason why amber alerts are so effective is because they are so infrequent.

Representative Pickett addressed concerns that too many postings could desensitize people to the urgency of the alert by establishing these requirements.

Pickett says, "You have to be at least 65, be a resident of Texas, and suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia. 

He adds, "the Department of Public Safety believes this is narrow enough group to make a difference but not broad enough to make this a daily occurrence."