Tech for tracking/geofencing LO with dementia

Kelly_d

I think I’m looking for the unicorn of tracking technology for my LO but I’m hoping you all can help me.  My LO is living in an independent living facility with multiple time/day home health care to check in, prompts for medicine and oral care and well being checks.  For the most part it is really working out well but we worry abt her possibly getting lost so are looking for a solution that gives her some freedom and us some comfort in knowing her location.

Requirements:

1. Setup via iPhone or online but does not require my LO to have phone or tech with her; possibly using the wi-fi in her building/campus;
2. Non-removable device (bracelet/anklet), either standard or after-market purchase;
3. Alerts sent via text to specific list (myself/other family members/home health) if LO leaves a predetermined area;
4. Long battery life as daily/frequent charging is not an option; and 
5. Ability to check her approximate location, occasionally. 

Desired, not required:

1. If LO leaves her “area”, device beeps until returned.  
2. If an emergency button could be available, that would be a bonus, but not necessary.  

It seems like the new AirTags or Tile might do the trick but I can’t seem to find out for sure. Any thoughts, insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Marta

By the time your loved one gets to this point, they are ready for a higher level of care.

There is no substitute for “eyes on” when it is a matter of safety. 

RobinFR

Hi 

Couple of things we found.  My mom misplaces things in the house and so we were looking for tracking so we could find them.  We tried the air tags (and bought little cases).  The beeps are so low that we have not found one pair of keys attached to an air tag.  the location device shows us its in the house- but we cannot find them.  We can find the one attached to her purse and house keys- so they can “work”.  The air tags require an iPhone in the vicinity or to pass by- so even if my mom went out with the tags (with the companion) we would not be able to track her location if there were no iPhone signal. One thing we can see is we can get an alert if I tags leave the home.  We do not know if the low volume is due to the case or if its simply quieter than the Tile which I use

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harshedbuzz

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am happy you found us but sorry for your need to.

To be honest, it doesn't sound as if "independent" living is appropriate for your LO at this point in the disease process. There is no electronic device that takes the place of human supervision. Alas, it is illegal to chip LOs as we might a beloved pet. Medic alert devices are the most robust in terms of reporting/emergency, but they will alert first responders- not a family member. And they can be easily removed for the most part.

An Apple watch can track and detect movement with a Family link to your own iPhone with bonus points for fall detection. But these, too, can be removed. Tiles or Air tags are pretty good with finding stuff, but not so hot for finding people in real time. My mom (no dementia) carried a Tile in her bag which could potentially allow me to know how close her train was so I could meet her at the station, but the location updates were unreliable and made me late at times. 

Elopement is a huge issue. A gentleman here disappeared from home and was missing for almost 2 days in a lovely suburb before being found. It was a harrowing couple of days as there's a canal nearby, but they had a happy ending. Not everyone does. A few years ago, a woman whose daughters spent hours daily with her wandered out after one left for the evening; her naked body was found dusted with snow by a dogwalker the next morning. The daughters thought their plan to respect mom's wishes to remain "independent" was working. And it did, Until it didn't. 

Her safety comes first. I would start looking for a MCF with an outdoor space accessible to residents and move her there asap. 

HB

mommyandme (m&m)

You could put a camera in her apt which could alert you on her movement. Then you could see if/when she left and when she returned. Of course, you’d not know her goings on outside the apt.

Michael Ellenbogen

They do make devices like that but you may be out of luck on this”Long battery life as daily/frequent charging is not an option”

 

I use to know all the products a few years ago but I forgotten them now. I am sure things improved but battery is a real concern as it was back then. 

MN Chickadee

Those of us that have been there done that understand that want to keep them independent and how scary it is to face the changes that are coming. However there really isn't a technological replacement for human supervision. Between the PWD removing the device/leaving it behind and battery life there will always be limitations. If you do find something that works it will be short lived. Don't take this issue lightly. In my area of around 100,000 people we have news of a PWD missing nearly every year. It rarely turns out well. Most have been found deceased. They will leave behind the medical bracelet, or the purse or shoe the tracking device is attached to. Many are found without a coat or proper shoes so you can't predict what to attach it to. It is not worth the risk. It may be time for an enhanced assisted living that has wandering protocols or locked memory care unit, or full time in home caregivers/family supervision.