Location tracker for dementia

[Mishmashs]

Hi, pls can anyone recommend a tracker for an elderly person with dementia. He doesn’t have a phone anymore so cannot track that way. It needs to be relatively simple as my mother needs to be able to see where he is via her phone. Not apple tags pls. Any recommendations? Thanks

Can you tell us a bit more about your relative? So if you want a tracker I'm guessing he still lives at home, alone, but goes out and sometimes looses track of time or doesn't quite remember the way home. Is it for that sort of thing? does he have carers, because sometimes trackers have to be kept charged.

Tell us a bit more about his needs?

It's a scary situation. Good for you for trying to keep his liberty along with his safety. Does he have any understanding of the risks?

Is there a reason why Apple tags/Samsung tags won't work?

My mother had a tracker provided by the council. It didn't work because their options were to wear it as a necklace or bracelet, and she simply removed them before going out.

You would need to be able to conceal the tracker successfully, because if your dad finds a 'foreign object' in his pocket he is likely to remove it and bin it.

I'm sorry, I don't know of a tech-type tracker.
But in case you're not familiar with it, just wanted to mention the Herbert Protocol. Good idea to register him JUST in case.
www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/central/advice/herbert-protocol/herbert-protocol-form.pdf

https://www.techsilver.co.uk/product-category/assistive-technology/gps-dementia-trackers-patients-elderly/

We got a tracking watch for my Mum which was good BUT you do need to be somewhere with a phone signal, and make sure you charge and put on everyday. There are quite a few types around.

Apple air tag. It looks like a watch, my kids have these

We use this one:
https://locaite.me/

It's been very reliable.

would something like a Tile do? They are similar to apple tags, but for Android. If he's in the habit of taking keys with him when he's going wandering it could be attached to the key ring. Or if he always put the same coat on to go out then it could be sewn into the lining.

They don't need charging.

Or what about a tracker watch? Not necessarily one of the ones sold for dementia.

It's tricky. My dad went off his legs quite early in the progression of his dementia so we only had a limited time when this was a problem. Basically doors/gates were locked always and alarms fitted to the exits to give a noise warning. But still my mum would have to chase him down the street to retrieve him on occassion. It's stressful.

I guess its different if you want to stop him wandering rather than needing to know where he is 'just in case'.

https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/wandering has some sound hints and tips.

Tractive
Meant for dogs but I’d get this one.

My mum always took a handbag with her at this stage in her dementia and I stashed an old phone at the bottom of her bag. It worked fine and we went out and found her a few times. We did try Tile as well but the range was too small. I would just say that the stress of tracking an older vulnerable person is awful. It really isn't the same as checking your teenager's location.

Thanks for all the advice. It’s for my dad who is in an advanced stage of dementia but still likes to walk out and about. My parents live in a tiny safe village where everyone knows him and my dad knows his area very well. Just sometimes he slips out without saying and then my mum (80 and walks with a cane) doesn’t know where he is. or on some occasions he has refused to walk with my mum on a walk and has gone off and she can’t keep up with his speed.

I think he would keep something around his neck, or perhaps a watch.

This.

he is used to having several pairs of glasses round his neck so I think would be ok with something small and light with a lanyard.

I just looked at apple tags but read they work via Bluetooth and have a range of about 30 feet. Hopeless!

I attached an apple air tag to mums house keys

Air tags operate miles, away.tracked my mum down at the local hospital 16miles away,so range of 30ft is rubbish.

Your local council can help with trackers. He has to agree really because otherwise he tips into a Community DOLs but not a problem if in his best interests. I would just persuade (if possible) to carry a phone with find my app on - we use it to track each in the family - very good usually.

The Apple tags work by picking up the Bluetooth from any iPhone in the area not just yours. He would have to be in a remote area with absolutely no iPhones nearby for it not to work. We found this the best way to track our dad, as he would pretty much always take his keys but it could be attached to anything your dad does actually always take with him.

My mum wanders. I've stashed a Tile in my mum's handbag but it doesn't work with my dads phone so I only get occasional check ins. She also has Herbert protocol, the yellow bracelet provided by police (bulky, also kept in handbag) and a card with phone numbers. I got her another ID bracelet but that seems to have already been lost or hidden.

If someone has an iPhone I'd suggest an airtag . We had a GPS tracker for our cat but it needed frequent charging. I don't know whether the dementia trackers are similar.

Basically several approaches needed in the hope one will work.

I have an AirTag in our suitcases, I was in Boston and could see my suitcase was still in Heathrow so it's absolutely more than 30ft range.

Hope you find something suitable.

Hiya, do you know if this for all forces, or just the met? It looks very useful for families to
Complete.

@Mishmashs You could be lucky and he will accept a lanyard. But my mother used to wear jewellery yet once dementia set in, every foreign object including earrings, rings and bracelets were disposed of. A tracker is different to a pair of glasses and if he notices it he may well get rid of it.

I know you're trying to preserve his independence and keep him safe, but unfortunately he is no longer independent and probably shouldn't go out alone if he needs tracking, and is unable/willing to use/carry a mobile phone.

(I've just read your post which says he goes out on his own without your mother knowing, so I can see why you think a tracker would be the answer. I'm not sure but good luck.)

The Herbert protocol is used by most forces I think - well worth doing.

As someone who occasionally is the finder of people with dementia, even a name tape with the person’s full name and a contact number of a family member or carer to call sewn into possessions or clothing can be a massive help.

That’s the range it said when I looked at AirTags. My mum has already been advised by the local dementia support charity not to use anything which relies on Bluetooth. They live in a very rural mountainous area so it has to be GPS.

I’m going to look into the Locaite one recommended by someone and I also came across one made by a German company which looks ok. All have to be supported by an app and you pay a monthly fee. Luckily my mum can just about work her iPhone. Thanks all. It’s not just that he can wander but on a couple of recent occasions they’ve been out together eg walking I. A rural area and he’s decided he’s had enough and dashed off and she can’t keep up. By which time he’s vanished from sight.