my uncle has alzheimer's and wanders off and gets lost. Just wondering if anyone knew of a tracking device to find him when he gets lost.

quote:

Originally posted by Dawn Hood:
my uncle has alzheimer's and wanders off and gets lost. Just wondering if anyone knew of a tracking device to find him when he gets lost.

Hi

I'm sorry but this post troubles me. In my opinion the best thing really is to have somebody to watch over your uncle.

quote:

Originally posted by Claire :::
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dawn Hood:
my uncle has alzheimer's and wanders off and gets lost. Just wondering if anyone knew of a tracking device to find him when he gets lost.

Hi You may want to look into the Safe Return Program. Information is available on the ALZ.org website

I TOO HAVE TRIED TO FIND ANYTHING ABOUT TRACKING DEVICES FOR ALZHEIMERS PATIENTS. iVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS RESEARCH GOING ON TO ADAPT A DEVICE TO BE USED FOR PATIENTS IN ABOUT A YEAR. i HAVE WONDERED ABOUT A GPS SYSTEM USED BY HIKERS AND SKIERS. iT WOULD BE CARRIED LIKE A CELL PHONE. hOWEVER THE PATIENT HAS TO TURN IT ON IF LOST. iF NOT ABLE THEN A PERSON HAS TO WAIT FOR THE RESEARCH TO DEVELOP THE PRODUCT NEEDED BY THESE PATIENTS.

Here in Va. (Stafford/Spotsylvania/Orange counties) have a program available through the sheriff's office under TRIAD. The electronic bracelet is put on (and cannot be removed) and a wave length is assigned to each bracelet. You test it every day to make sure it is active and the batteries need to be changed once a month. In some counties there is no charge, here is Orange the cost was $300. If lost a person can be located usually within 20 minutes and I have heard that thus far it has been 100% successful in tracking AD patients and also autistic children. Check with you local Sheriff's office and see if they participate in this type of program. (Unfortunately, when we went in to have it put on my husband refused to wear it. We will try again in a few months. I thought we had discussed it and he was comfortable and agreeable to wearing it, but he changed his mind. He sticks very close to me and so far has not wandered, but it is a real concern and this bracelet would give me peace of mind in knowing he could be located quickly. Good Luck.

Dawn: Dont' let others comments bring you down in here. By considering his safety you're moving in the right direction.

I'm curious to know when he wanders? You should consider if it is during the day and he is alone looking into day care options as they generally are offered for free or a min. charge. This is a good way to keep the person safe and entertained! If it is in the evening try hanging a hat on the door nob, or a robe on the door, you may be able to detur him from leaving, or you can buy a small door alarm at home depot or lowe's. There are many new GPS based tracking device, they are expensive though. I would look at safe return and a medic alert bracelet, they have memory impairment status now!

For you I recommend Alzhiemer's Essentials; Practical Skills for Caregivers, it's a great book that I've read and I let my patients know about! It's terrific, get it at carmapubs.com that's the publisher or any book store.

Good luck!

Check this out Project Lifesaver www.projectlifesaver.org
Over 550 Police and Sheriff Agencies participate in Project Lifesaver in the United States and Canada. Project Lifesaver uses proven radio technology and a specially trained search and rescue team to locate missing people.
Project Lifesaver is a proactive, public safety program to locate missing persons suffering from dementia-type disorders that cause wandering such as, Alzheimer’s, Autism and Down Syndrome. More importantly, it gives family and care providers the peace of mind that there is a program that will help locate a wandering loved one quickly.
Project Lifesaver program helps Police Agencies reduce the time, money and staffing required locating a missing person. What use to take an average 12 hours to locate a missing person, is now down to 22 minutes. This successful program uses electronic tracking equipment to quickly locate a wanderer.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill:
in my opinion this QuestGuard does not meet the need for most of us. It cost about $350 per month and unless you are having continuing problems with wandering that is a price that is beyond most of us. This QuestGuard seemed be developed to handle home prisoners for the state. We need something that is low cost, gentle, and helps the home caregiver for wandering problems. GuestGuard also having multiple messages (which are ads)is a turn off.

I Agree with Bill, consider the following:
Many GPS technology companies promote the “potential” uses of GPS solution for locating people with Alzheimer’s. As a care provider, it is important to ask the following questions:
- Is this technology presently in use on people who have Alzhiemer’s or Autism?
- Is this technology recognized by Police or Sheriff’s responsible for locating missing persons due to wandering
- Is it practicle for my family member to wear?
- Is it small enough to wear? (ie: for a frail senior with thin wrists?)
- How often do I have to change the batteries?
- Does this company have a proven track record of saving lives with the use of their tracking technology?

I have been looking for Wandering Device under $200 but they have been hard to find that meet what I am looking for. Some are limited in range other are too costly.

Alzthere.com has a list of Wandering Products on thier website. It continues to grow.

http://www.alzthere.com/Products/Wandering/tabid/78/Default.aspx

hi my sister has alzheimers and i was told if you put a dark rug in front of the doors they wont cross it because they see it as a big hole i havent got to this part and when i do i plan to try this i was told this by a nurse that worked with alzheimers apt"s nancy

Hi, my Dad has AD and one night in the middle of winter he walked out of his trailer in pjs and bare feet. My Mom who usually hears him didn't wake up that time. He went to another trailer and that person took him in and called the police and put some socks on him. The police brought him home and he was fine just very cold.The next day we had locks installed high up the door,my Dad is short. That's what I would recommend-some kind of lock that he can't open.

Dawn,
Contact your local Sheriff's/Police department and ask if the y participate in 2 diferent programs. one is Medic + SafeReturn. Information can be found at this website. http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_medicalert_safereturn.asp#works.
The other program is Project LifeSaver. David R. posted their webiste in an earlier Posting to your message. Hope this helps.

Try the Migo phome by LG Iit has a GPS tracking if you can get him to keep it on him it may do the trick! The phome is easy to use if he is still able it allows you to but 4 preset numbers and has a 911 button.

I got mine to late for Mom to understand/or use but it may not be for you or others.

My phone system is Verizon, but others may carry it or something similar.

Good luck my friends

I have heard about shoes that have tracking divices inplanted into the heels of the shoes. They are expensive but, worth it for peace of mind. Also try getting him to wear a baseball hat of his favorite team with his name sewn under the logo on the front and on the inside you could put a sewn in tab with you phone # or what ever on it along with that he is a alzheimer's safe return number.

Check with your Police Dept. Ours has Project Lifesaver.

There is a GPS tracking device worn on the ankle. But they did not accept my ex-MIL until we had caregivers with her 12 hours a day. They don't/can't have people sitting at computer screens all day, so someone needs to be there to call the cops if the LO goes wandering. At that point, they activate her chip & find her.

Safe Return works similarly, but not as good or as fast, IMHO.

I think the safe return program is a good idea. It's just a bracelet they wear with id on it. (as long as they are not prone to taking it off). My mom put high locks on all the doors also and I suggest hiding keys to cars!! They may have lucid moments and decide to take a drive!

my company has develop a gps watch for alzheimer you can locate in real time, you can get notification if he is out of area and more option, if you interesting contact me at: david@dltech.co.il
no monthly charge for the service.
free map worldwide