Best Tracking Devices for Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s disease is one common cause of dementia. Dementia is a term that encompasses a wide range of cognitive functioning issues, such as memory loss, thinking impairment, problems with judgment, and difficulty with social interactions.

Dementia can cause elderly adults to become confused, scared, angry, lost, and forgetful. These cognition problems present a danger to those who suffer from dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease or another type of disease.

When it comes to safety for your loved ones, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but we hope that this article has helped you to better understand the available options so that you can make an informed decision about which GPS tracker for Alzheimer's patients may be best for your needs.

GPS Trackers Help Protect Alzheimer's Patients

If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, you know how important it is to keep them safe. Unfortunately, as the disease progresses, they may wander off and become lost. A GPS tracker can give you peace of mind by allowing you to track their location at all times.

What to Look for in a GPS Tracker for Dementia

There are a number of different GPS trackers on the market, so it is important to choose one that is well-suited for your needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a GPS tracker for Alzheimer's patients:

Battery life

Look for a tracker with long battery life so that you don't have to worry about recharging it frequently.

Durability

Choose a tracker that is durable and weatherproof so that it can withstand being worn all day, every day.

Size

Make sure the tracker is small enough to be comfortably worn by your loved one.

Ease of use

Look for a tracker that is easy to use so that you can set it up and start tracking their location quickly and easily.

Once you have considered all of these factors, you will be able to narrow down your choices and select the best GPS tracker for Alzheimer's patients for your needs.

Tracking Devices for Wandering Alzheimer’s Patients

Great strides have been made in innovations designed to protect elders who suffer from dementia or other cognitive issues. Some inventions that have reduced the dangers associated with dementia are tracking devices.

Tracking devices are worn by the patient so that if they wander and get lost, they can be tracked down via a GPS location system. Tracking devices can provide peace of mind to the family members of patients with Alzheimer’s or other diseases that present with dementia symptoms.

Listed below are some tracking devices on the market that you may want to consider for your loved one who suffers from dementia, especially if they are not living in a senior care facility equipped with Accutech’s ResidentGuard. Hopefully, you will find the appropriate solution with one of these.

• AngelSense

AngelSense devices are GPS tracking devices for those with autism or other special needs that include wandering tendencies. AngelSense also provides tracking devices for wandering dementia sufferers. You can attach the AngelSense device to your loved one’s clothing, similar to a department store loss prevention tag. A phone app will provide parents or family members with notifications and tracking features.

• FiLIP

FiLIP is a product offered by AT&T. AT&T uses their cell tower infrastructure to provide the location of the FiLIP device—often a wearable watch—so the coverage/visibility in your area depends on the cell coverage AT&T provides. Family members can use an app on a smartphone to define alarming parameters and can track/locate the FiLIP device in real-time.

• Keruve

Keruve offers another wearable option: a functioning wristwatch with the GPS device attached. They also offer a similar app user interface that allows you to track/locate the watch with a smartphone.

• SafetyNet Tracking System

The SafetyNet Tracking System is a product/solution that requires your local police department to not only be involved but also to offer this service in your area. The at-risk person wears the device, and when the device goes missing, the service contacts your local police department. SafetyNet has special equipment to locate the device. Based on your location, this service may or may not be available.

• Radio Frequency (RF) Tether

The Radio Frequency (RF) Tether product uses a transmitter that is located within a house. The person being monitored wears a device on their ankle, similar to an ankle monitoring system used for house arrest. The receiver communicates via a phone line to a monitoring center and reports all leaves, returns, fails to return, tampers, power failures, and phone line problems as they occur. This is a home curfew product that may be a viable solution for wander management.

• GPS Tracking Keychain

The GPS Tracking Keychain is a small, lightweight device that can be easily carried by your loved one. It uses both GPS and GSM technologies to provide real-time location tracking. The keychain also has an SOS button which, when pressed, will send an emergency alert to up to five designated phone numbers.

• Pocketfinder Personal GPS Locator

The PocketFinder is a small, lightweight GPS tracker that can be easily carried in a pocket or purse. It uses both GPS and cellular technologies to provide real-time location tracking. The PocketFinder also has an SOS button which, when pressed, will send an emergency alert to up to 10 designated phone numbers.

• Spot Gen4

The SPOT Gen4 is a GPS tracker that uses both GPS and satellite technologies to provide real-time location tracking. It also has an SOS button which, when pressed, will send an emergency alert to up to 10 designated phone numbers. The SPOT Gen4 also has a check-in feature that allows you to send a pre-written message to your contacts to let them know you are safe.

• TRAQ GPS Watch

The TRAQ GPS watch is a tracking device designed for children and seniors. It uses both GPS and cellular technologies to provide real-time location tracking. The watch also has an SOS button which, when pressed, will send an emergency alert to up to 10 designated phone numbers. The watch is also equipped with a fall detection feature that will automatically call for help if it detects that the wearer has fallen.

• GPS Tracking Shoes

These shoes are designed for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia who are at risk of Wandering. The shoes have a GPS tracker embedded in the sole and an SOS button on the shoe’s tongue. Pressing the SOS button will send an emergency alert to up to 10 designated phone numbers.

Professional Wander Management Solutions vs Tracking Devices

Many family members of dementia sufferers worry about the safety of their loved ones. For example, patients with dementia could wander out of a care facility and into a dangerous situation, such as walking into traffic or getting lost in the woods.

If your loved one resides in a care facility equipped with an access control wander management solution, such as Accutech’s ResidentGuard, you won’t need to worry too much about their safety as many protective measures have been put in place to protect patients in these facilities. Your loved one can be fitted with a “wander wearable,” a bracelet that is programmed to interact with the access control security system designed for the facility. This system combines with alarms and other security systems to secure the perimeter of an elder care facility to keep your loved one safe.
However, if you are looking for technology for residential use, the products listed above are designed for the residential market and can help protect your loved one.

Which Wander Management Solution Is Right for You?

Each tracking device for dementia patients has pros and cons. You will need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks when making your decision about which option is best for you. For instance, if your loved one is in a residential environment, one of the above tracking systems may be exactly what you're looking for. You can compare pricing, user-friendliness, and effectiveness.

However, if you are looking into finding a care facility for an elderly loved one with dementia, you may want to find a senior living community that has an access control system built-in, such as Accutech’s ResidentGuard.