Police are searching for a 99-year-old woman who went missing from her home in Melbourne’s southeast, with “terrified” family members appealing to the public to help find her.
Elva, who lives with severe dementia, was last seen at her home on Clayton Rd in Clayton about 10am on Friday.
Elva’s son David Tout said in the past, she was known to frequent bus services in the area and often travelled to Box Hill and Glen Waverly areas. Mr Tout believes she could have boarded a bus without realising where she is heading.
“We just think she’s hopped on a bus or train, thinking she’s going somewhere but she won’t actually know where she’s going or where she is in the world,” Mr Tout told reporters on Friday.
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READ NOW“She could easily be disoriented but knowing that buses (are) a safe haven for her.”
“Our fear is that she’s had a fall, I mean she is quite feeble and doesn’t have a lot of energy but she has a walker which will get her around.”
Mr Tout said her disappearance is “out of character” and “very unusual”, but added his mother will likely be “up for a chat” if anyone comes across her.
It is unlikely Elva remembers her home address or is travelling with any form of identification, Mr Tout said.
Senior Constable Lily White said police have conducted “extensive patrols” around her local area, including within train stations, shopping centres, parks and local churches.
Elva was wearing a red knitted bonnet, a grey or blue jacket, dark trousers, black shoes and was using a red walking frame when she went missing.
Anyone who sights Elva is urged to contact Oakleigh Police Station on (03) 9567 8900.