Background
As the population ages, the incidence of dementia is also increasing. Dementia is a global problem. As of today, there are approximately 55 million people worldwide with dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is caused by a range of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke. It can affect memory and other cognitive functions, as well as the ability to perform everyday tasks. Therefore, the WHO, in conjunction with governments, is currently making various efforts to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and to support those carers who care for them. This article will focus on the GPS tracker developed for people with dementia.
According to the ADI (Alzheimer’s Disease International) World Alzheimer’s Report 2022, 75% of people worldwide with dementia have not yet been diagnosed. The survey reports that the number of people diagnosed with dementia is expected to increase by 153% by 2050, compared to the number of people with the disease today. For dementia, different social, economic, medical, cultural, and individual aspects will affect how it is managed. At the same time, it also affects how the most appropriate support is selected for the patient and their caregivers after diagnosis.
The Necessity of GPS Tracker for People with Dementia
We know that dementia occurs more often in the elderly. The wandering of these dementia patients is also a critical issue we face. When patient is out alone, their loved ones or caregivers need to worry about their safety all the time. It will cause a very big problem if they are lost.
In a report released by ADI, it is mentioned that “supporting family members and other informal caregivers is also widely recognized as an important part of post-diagnostic support. “ It means that we should not only pay attention to those people with dementia, but also to those family members and caregivers. According to a report by the World Health Organization, caregivers spend an average of 5 hours a day caring for patients and worrying about them 24 hours a day.
What problems may cause if dementia people are lost?
The patient’s family members or caregivers will worry about?
-What if the patient forgets the way home while they are out?
-What if the patient forgets their contact information in an emergency and can’t get help timely?
There are other situations that may occur. When these situations occur, how can family members or caregivers be aware of their movements and provide assistance? We often find missing person notices in our own newspapers or on social media platforms – Alzheimer’s patients are lost and their families are desperately looking for them.
Also, there are other situations that may occur. When these situations occur, how can family members or caregivers be aware of their movements and provide assistance? We often find notices for missing persons in newspapers or on social media platforms, which include dementia patients.
So, how can we prevent such things from happening and how can we find or locate these patients as early as possible after they are lost so that accidents can be avoided? This becomes very important. GPS trackers can be a great help. When patients carry a GPS tracker with them, their families and caregivers can monitor their real-time activities 24 hours a day. They no longer have to worry all the time when the patient is alone. With GPS trackers, they can respond immediately to location and alert information in the event of an emergency or if a patient gets lost.
Consider These Factors before Choosing A GPS Tracker for People with Dementia
If you want to buy a suitable GPS tracker for your family, first you need to know some of the following information.
1. Pros and cons of using GPS Tracker for people with dementia
Pros
– Can get the patient’s whereabouts at all times, avoiding the problem of getting lost or being unable to respond in time to dangerous situations
– Allows patients to gain more freedom of movement and live more independently
– Family members or caregivers can access the patient’s status remotely without having to follow the patient all the time. Also, they can be alerted in case of an emergency.
Cons
-There is no guarantee that the patient will carry the GPS tracker with them. If the patient removes the tracking device, the caregiver will not receive accurate location data.
-The GPS tracker may mean a loss of privacy, so the patient’s consent is required before it can be used.
– There is no guarantee that the patient will carry the GPS tracker with them. If the patient removes the tracker, the caregiver will not receive accurate location data.
– The GPS tracker may mean a loss of privacy, so the patient’s consent is required before it can be used.
2. Other factors that you should consider
Types of Tracker
You need to choose a certain type of GPS tracker depending on the severity of the patient’s dementia and the actual need to use it. If they need to drive a vehicle, then they need a vehicle GPS tracker. Or if they like to go out alone, they can choose a traditional GPS tracker or a mini GPS tracker. If you are afraid they will forget to take it with them, then you can choose a wearable GPS tracker for them.
Function
You need to consider what functions you need. A GPS tracker can be equipped with many functions. Besides the basic GPS positioning function, it can also have geo-fencing, an SOS emergency button, voice detection, two-way call, etc. If you need long-distance tracking, then you may need to choose a more expensive device. If it is only a small range of tracking, you can choose a more basic and cheap device.
Monthly Fee
Many GPS trackers require a monthly fee. If you need the device to give you location information in a timely manner, then cellular network technology is required, and this may charge you extra. However, there are some devices that already include a lifetime subscription at the time of purchase, so there is no additional monthly fee. You need to understand the costs before you buy and choose to buy according to your actual needs.
Types of GPS Tracker for People with Dementia
GPS Tracker for dementia patients includes wearable GPS Tracker, conventional GPS Tracker, and mini GPS Tracker. The following content will introduce several products that meet different customer needs in the market for your reference.
1. Wearable GPS Tracker
-Osmile GPS Anti-Lost Tracker
The Osmile GPS watch can be worn by people with dementia or by the elderly or children, but you can also use it as a regular electronic watch. The watch supports 4G and 5G networks, but the sim card needs to be equipped separately.
Main Functions
– Accurate GPS positioning
– Automatic call answering
– Monitoring the wearer’s heart rate and blood pressure
– SOS emergency button
– Electronic fence
– Remote camera
– Remote microphone
Price and subscription fees
The device supports multiple languages and with a price of $249. Users can choose to pre-install a SpeedTalk Mobile GSM SIM card for an additional $5. There is also an option to prepay the SIM card for 30 days of wireless service, which also costs $5.
-Beacon Pet Smart Watch for the Elderly
Beacon Pet smartwatch is a 4G location watch designed for Alzheimer’s disease, combining multiple technologies for accurate positioning and fast uploading. The watch has a 1.3-inch HD full-screen touchscreen dial and is IP67 waterproof.
Main Functions
– Combine positioning technologies: GPS+LBS+WIFI
– Heart rate monitoring
– Step count
– SOS Emergency call for help
– Fall reminder
– Two-way calling
– Low battery remind
Price and subscription fees
$89.99
2. Conventional GPS Tracker
– AMERICALOC CL300 Portable GPS Tracker
AMERICALOC CL300 GPS tracker is capable of tracking elderly and dementia patients anywhere they go. It covers a long range and its battery can last over one month. This tracker can store up to one year of history and has the following functions.
Main Functions
– Precise positioning and real-time tracking
– Store tracking history for up to 1 year
– Send alerts when the user is in emergency
Price and subscription fees
$87.00, and service is $25/month or less if you buy more time.
3. Mini GPS Tracker
– Jiobit GPS Tracker
Jiobit GPS Tracker is a mini GPS tracker for kids, the elderly, and dementia patients. It is compact, lightweight and durable. With advanced GPS positioning technology, it provides you with accurate positioning in time through the combination of WIFI and Bluetooth. In different ways, it is an ideal GPS tracker.
Main Functions
– Precise positioning and real-time tracking
– Tiny, lightweight, and waterproof, can attach securely to a backpack or strap
– Powerful intelligent alerts and location history
– Low power consumption and long battery life
– Safe & Secure
Price and subscription fees
$129.99. Users can choose a monthly, 6-month, or 2-year subscription on Jiobit FREE app. The monthly fee is $14.99.
4. Vehicle GPS Tracker
-MOKO Vehicle GPS Tracker
If your loved one needs to drive a vehicle, then you need a vehicle GPS tracker. MOKO V GPS Tracker can enable you to track the location of the car that the patient drives. Also, it can monitor driving behaviors and send alarms to the platform if there is an emergency situation. This device can connect to the car for power.
Main Functions
– GPS positioning and real-time tracking
– Integrate multiple sensors to realize unplug detection, towing detection, crash detection, and vibration detection.
– Support remote OTA firmware upgrade
– Geo-fencing
