People with dementia may sometimes find themselves in unfamiliar places without knowing how they got there. Memory loss and the tendency to wander off can create challenges for individuals with dementia and their loved ones.

If you’re a family member or caregiver of someone with dementia, you might wonder how to keep your loved one safe while still allowing them some freedom to move around. Modern tracking devices can help you keep track of your loved one’s whereabouts, preserving both their safety and your peace of mind.

Using a tracking device to monitor someone with dementia isn’t a new idea. But in recent years, new electronic tracking devices have become available thanks to advancements in technology and government initiatives for older adult care. In this article, we’ll explore different modern tracking device options and benefits for people with dementia and their loved ones.

When Are Tracking Devices Beneficial?

You might think using a tracking device for a loved one might limit their independence. But when a loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, a tracking device or cell phone app can actually enhance their sense of independence by allowing them to move more freely.

Exercise is beneficial for people with dementia and those at risk of developing it, and walking is a simple way to stay active. Tracking devices can make walking safer, allowing people with dementia to exercise with a lower risk of getting lost.

Tracking devices aren’t only beneficial for those with dementia. They’re also helpful for caregivers. One myALZteam member said, “GPS tracking will make me feel more secure knowing I can find my husband if he wanders off.”

You might consider a tracking device for a loved one with dementia if they have a tendency to wander. Wandering and confusion in people with dementia can pose serious risks, including injury and death. Even a single incident of wandering can lead to a person being placed into institutionalized care, sometimes against their own wishes. For caregivers and community members, a wandering episode can cause significant psychological stress and require time and resources for those looking for their loved one.

Popular Tracking Devices for People With Dementia

Modern tracking devices allow you to remotely monitor or locate a loved one with dementia by either tracking their location in real time or reviewing their location history. There are various types of tracking devices, each with its own features and functions. However, no tracking device is 100 percent effective. For example, some devices work best outdoors or in clear weather.

Here’s what you can expect from four of the most common types of tracking devices.

Global Positioning System

You’re probably familiar with GPS, a tracking system often used in vehicles. GPS works by using signals between satellites in space and ground stations. GPS trackers are most effective outdoors and can give you real-time updates on a person’s location. You can track a GPS device through a computer or smartphone application. One advantage of GPS trackers is that they don't require an internet connection to work.

Assisted GPS

Assisted GPS (A-GPS ) tracking devices combine GPS technology with cell towers to provide more accurate location data. A-GPS works faster than GPS, and it can even help accurately locate people indoors. For instance, if your loved one is in an assisted living center, A-GPS can show you where they are within the building.

Radio-Frequency Identification

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses radio signals to determine location. While RFID has a shorter range than GPS, it works well indoors. Some RFID devices don’t require batteries, making them a reliable long-term option.

Bluetooth Low Energy

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices use Bluetooth signals between internet-connected devices for tracking. They have a long battery life, which makes them convenient to use. However, they typically have a limited range, so they might not work well in rural areas.

Choosing a Tracking Device: What To Consider

When choosing an assistive device for dementia care, such as a tracking device, there are several factors to keep in mind. You must evaluate the features of the device itself as well as the technology that powers it. It’s also important to consider the needs and preferences of your loved one with dementia.

While making your decision, consider the following.

The Stage of Dementia

Your loved one’s stage of dementia can help you decide which tracking device to buy. Pocket devices and smartphone applications are good for people with early-stage dementia who lead independent lives.

People with later-stage dementia might require wearable devices that are harder to misplace, like wrist-worn tracking devices or smartwatches. One myALZteam member shared, “I'm thinking of getting my loved one a watch, because sometimes he doesn’t have his phone on him.”

Tracking Device Types

Tracking devices vary in shape, size, and ease of use for the wearer. You can find wristbands, necklaces, pocket devices, keychains, and smartphone apps. Some devices are sold in multipacks so you can easily replace one if it gets lost. Others allow you to place tracking devices in shoes, ensuring your loved one with dementia has it on them when they go outside.

Tracking Device Features

Many tracking devices and software have helpful features that can make them easier to use or more appealing to you and your loved one. These features may include:

• Setting up safe zones, boundaries, or geofencing around your loved one’s home or neighborhood
• On-demand or real-time location updates
• Automatic contact with emergency services
• Text message alerts on your mobile phone
• Access to 24/7 support service
• Direct communication with your loved one

Members of myALZteam often share information about the advantages of their chosen devices. One member said, “I bought my father a GPS watch. It updates locations every minute. It also has an SOS button so he can contact me from his watch and I can talk to him on my phone.”

Tracking Device Limitations

Not all tracking devices will be a perfect fit for your loved one’s needs or your own. For example, GPS devices don’t always provide accurate location information indoors.

Some tracking devices and software can experience interference in busy urban areas. Others require a strong internet connection and might not work well in remote or rural settings.

As an added precaution, you might consider using multiple tracking devices or strategies to keep your loved one safe. Options like door alarms, ID cards, and security cameras can help reduce the risk of a loved one getting lost.

Your Budget

Tracking devices and software come in different price ranges. You may need to pay an activation fee or monthly subscription to use the device or application. Keep in mind that continuous tracking is usually more expensive than systems that only activate in emergencies.

Ask Your Doctor About Consent and Recommendations

If you’re unsure which type of tracking device might work best for your needs, talk to your neurologist or supportive care provider. They can offer suggestions based on their experience and your loved one’s specific dementia symptoms.

Your doctor can also work with you to evaluate whether your loved one is capable of consenting to being tracked. It’s important to consider the opinions of health care providers, loved ones, caregivers, and the person with dementia to ensure their rights are respected.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones, more than 86,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Have you used a tracking device for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.