How Personal GPS Trackers Improve Senior Independence
Elderly people, especially those with some form of dementia, have a tendency to wander. It’s reckoned that about 60% of people who have Alzheimer’s disease will wander off at some point. This is a major concern for family members, friends and those tasked with caring for them.
Fortunately, personal trackers for the elderly are now commonly available and these enable the location of those who use them to be known at all times. This can give great peace of mind to caregivers as well as allow those users to retain their independence.
How to Keep Track of an Elderly Parent
Tracking devices for the elderly with dementia and other health issues come in a variety of forms that include smartwatches, a GPS tracker bracelet for adults and a tracking necklace for dementia sufferers. They all work to a similar principle and have identical aims — to locate where people are at any time and keep them safe.
A micro GPS tracking device works by constantly recording the location of the user and transmitting this location to listed people via their phones or some other device, at set intervals. The data typically goes to family members or to a central monitoring station so they are always aware of where the users are. All that is required is internet access to give total peace of mind.
An important feature of a personal and car tracker for dementia is geofencing. This allows perimeters to be set to define a safe area within which the user should remain. Should the user move out of this area, an alarm is triggered and sent to everyone on the contact list so that they are aware of the user’s movements.
This feature is particularly useful for dementia sufferers who have a tendency to wander since it means they can be prevented from wandering too far and putting themselves in danger. Some devices may allow a geofence perimeter to be set as a circle while others may permit more irregular boundaries, which is a more practical solution.
Other features that may be useful are:
- two-way communication so that the user can speak to and have a conversation with carers and family members, which may reduce anxiety and any feeling of isolation as well as help to ensure the user’s continued independence with help always available
- an SOS button that the user can press in the event of an emergency, triggering an alert so help can be sent quickly
- fall detection, which triggers an alert if the device drops quickly
- speed detection that triggers an alert if the device moves above a certain speed, indicating the user has boarded a vehicle
- long battery life so the device doesn’t run out of power too quickly; some trackers may last 5-10 days without a charge, although this depends on the level of functionality, and at least 24 hours is essential.
Functionality and Usability
When choosing the best watch for seniors with dementia, or some other form of tracking device, make sure it has all the features you need. The main function is to track the user’s movements so you always know where they are, but other features will be useful or essential.
It is crucial that any device is comfortable for the wearer, otherwise it may be discarded and be ineffective. Equally, it needs to be easy to use, especially for those with dementia or limited dexterity. In particular, a charging cradle or magnetic connection is better than having to insert a cable.
Getting the right GPS tracker for your loved ones will give you peace of mind knowing they are safe.
