gps tracker

[buzz2400]

My mother has early stages of dementia. We are starting to get worried that someday she will forget how to get home. My father even lost her once at a store. What we are trying to find out is gps trackers for adults or something of that nature. She claims she doesn't have memory problems so we have to be sneaky in using a device. Any suggestions. Please don't suggest taking away the car or anything like that because she is in denial at this point. We are even trying to get her to a doctor but it has been very difficult. The final outcome we would like to achieve is if we can't find her, we would beable to locate her through some kind gps device.

 

[utterrandomness]

They're expensive, but smartphones often have a tracking app. I know for sure the iPhone does.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Cell phone is the only way I can think of too. For sure I'd get a bracelet or something made with emergency contact information, kind of like a medic-alert?

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

http://mobihealthnews.com/10556/alzheimers-association-offers-on-demand-tracking/

This uses sprint phones, and you can pay when you use it instead of paying for a service plan long term.

 

[SueM in MN]

The problem with a phone is that the person has to have it on them and it has to be turned on.
I know Smartphones all have GPS capability, but most don't have an easy way for you to find the phone. iPhones have an app called Find My Phone that does allow for you to very easily locate the phone, using another iPhone or computer.

There is a program called Project Lifesaver present in most places in the US that includes the person wearing a device that can be used to track them and a specially trained group of searchers to find people who have wandered off.
http://www.projectlifesaver.org/

If you do a search using the words ALZHEIMER'S and TRACKING, you will find a number of other options, inlcuding things to place in shoes, clothing and in cars. Some are more discrete than others, but some don't work as well as others.

And, even though you don't want to take her car away, bad things can happen, even with early Alzheimer's. I think you are very smart to think of ways to track her.
This woman was from close to my home and I remember when she went missing. Her family was sure she could drive to her cabin because she did it almost every week. She had never gotten lost before, but had gotten confused in the Grocery store and 'turned around' a number of times.
She left her son's home in June 1999 and was never seen again - no trace of her car or anything in those 12+ years.

 

[buzz2400]

thanks for the advice. I am going to look into.