How to utilize GPS tracking for those you love with Alzheimer's Disease
By Robert B. of Everything GPS
As anyone with a family member that’s lived with Alzheimer’s disease can tell you, watching a loved one slip away is heartbreaking.
But what can be of an even greater concern for individuals with Alzheimer’s is their tendency to easily wander off and become lost.
Perhaps you’ve read the countless findings which report that over 60-70% of all patients with the disease will become lost at least once. Even more shocking is that nearly 50% of them can die if they aren’t found within 24 hours.
And while countless research groups report future therapies, drugs, and even cures are down the road, these rosy findings don’t help deal with the problems now.
So, back to the wandering issue. How is a someone best able to monitor a loved one with Alzheimer’s without being too invasive or being with them 24 hours a day?
The answer lies within Global Positioning Systems technology, or GPS for short.
For years, GPS tracking technology has been used for everything from military operations to avid outdoorsmen out on the trail. But the diverse uses of this technology have only become obvious in recent years.
Besides tracking cars for easy retrieval after a theft, GPS is also being used to track people. Ethical issues aside, keeping tabs on a child or elderly parent in a non-invasive way is certainly something to be encouraged, not frowned upon.
For Alzheimer’s patients, this could be something as simple as having them where a necklace or a GPS tracking watch. Watches, such as those by Wherify, even include locking mechanisms so it can’t be removed.
How exactly these devices work is different for each manufacturer; some have constant 24/7 tracking, while others will only track when you actually want to pin-point their location.
Personally, as these devices can be broken or fail, I’d opt for the 24/7 version. This way you’re able to follow the trail that your loved one took while wandering about. Chances are that the device will never fail, so you can also find their present location and notify the authorities to help you in your search.
In addition, most of these devices provide an Internet site where you can logon and follow the live tracking of your family member. This makes it easy to keep an eye on older parents to make sure they’re out of bed and moving around. However, practically all of these services charge a monthly fee ranging from $10-$20 a month, which is certainly a small amount to keep those whom you care about safe.
The future holds even more promising technology for GPS. Down the road, even more accurate devices will be the norm. And in the theme of a sci-fi show, some GPS trackers will be implantable for even more non-discrete tracking.
When you have a parent or family member with Alzheimer’s, no option should be overlooked. I certainly hope you give GPS tracking the attention is deserves, as it can keep your loved ones safe in a sometimes dangerous and cruel world.
