GPS watches? For someone who loves to walk!

ThisIsToughStuff

Hello, 

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any good GPS tracking watches for someone with who loves to walk?   I've checked Amazon - and Verizon, but it's hard to know what would be good.  

My mom recently moved into an ALF, it's out in the country of NH, and service is a wee bit spotty.  Some folks can seem to get a signal - I cannot, using Spectrum mobile.  

She has been known to get lost when she was living alone, and in the past - gotten into cars with strangers.  It is my fear that she might not even recognise the house when she walks back.   Staff is aware, and they have been walking with her - but she's really wanting to walk on her own - on a very busy street, with no sidewalks.  (*GULP*)   Her short term memory is getting worse - after going out on an hour long walk with staff, it didn't take long and she forgot she even went. 

So I'm hoping someone here knows of some GPS locator watches.   She has a flip phone, so that's no help for this.  

Thanks so much! 

Miranda

harshedbuzz

Miranda-

It doesn't sounds as if GPS is sufficient for your needs. She likely doesn't have the executive function to walk safely in the area where she now lives. GPS is no substitute for supervision by an actual person.

Perhaps you could take her to a park of small town to walk or hire someone to do the same a few times a week. 

HB

ThisIsToughStuff

Hi HB, 

I absolutely agree with you, I don't believe she should be walking alone any longer - especially if she wants to walk on the street - it makes me very nervous.   

Staff @ the ALF are taking her for walks.  They have other residents to take care of, so I'm not sure of the frequency - and I'm sure that changes day to day.  

If Mom had it her way she would just walk for miles and miles.   She is young, with early onset, so she still has a lot of energy to get out.   

I'm thinking a GPS locator might be a good idea if she forgets to wait for staff to go for the walk, or forgets she needs to tell staff if she is going out.   

- Miranda

harshedbuzz

Miranda-

It doesn't sound like you can make this a safe activity. Individuals decline in individuals with EO is often faster than in other PWD and it sounds like she wasn't safe when she moved into AL. She might be better suited to a secure MC facility where she couldn't exit without supervision. Does her current facility offer an physical fitness programming that might safely meet her need for movement?

The way you describe the situation, GPS won't keep her safe but it could help you locate her body if she's struck by a car.

Apple offers an option to Family Share on an Apple Watch linked to your iPhone. I think it's about $360 plus monthly cellular (I pay $10/month on top of my phone plan). It does come with fall detection and would alert EMTs if she has a hard fall and doesn't respond to a prompt from the watch. Of course, that'll be of no help if she removes it or if some AL "shopper" or bad actor in the community swipes the device. 

HB

ThisIsToughStuff

Thank you HB,  this is a huge concern for my brother and I.... and for right now, she is her own guardian.  It is in the works that we will become co-guardians, just waiting on a court date - which should be coming soon.   

At the moment - staff walk with her everywhere she goes.  And like I said, it might just be good if she decides to leave without telling anyone & they discover her missing.  Thank you for the information about the apple watch.  

And I will ask the administrator about some safe fitness programming.   I have already voiced my concerns about her walking alone on that busy street - and will continue to do so.  They have the same concerns.  But I'm not sure if that might change - that they think she is capable. 

I'm not positive this is the right placement for her yet - she just moved in 12 days ago.  It is stressful for sure.