In some parts of the country, the alerts for missing seniors now outnumber those for missing children. Wanderers who get lost can be difficult to find because they often behave unpredictably. For example, they may not call for help or respond to searchers’ calls.

Unless there’s a medical breakthrough to identify ways to prevent or more effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease, the amount of wanderer cases is likely to increase. About 5.3 million people nationwide currently have this disease. By 2050, the number of individuals 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to 11-16 million. Wandering is also an issue for those with dementia, autism and other cognitive disorders.

Some tips to minimize problems related to wandering — especially for the elderly — include removing tripping hazards, such as throw rugs and extension cords; installing night lights to aid nighttime wanderers; placing gates at stairwells to prevent falls; providing a place to wander safely, such as a path through the home or a circular trail through a fenced backyard; installing alarms and locks that will alert the caregiver when an individual is on the move; or camouflaging doors with paint or wallpaper that matches the surrounding walls (a mirror or stop sign on the door might help as well).

Another option is to use a personal monitoring or emergency locator device. Fortunately, there are a variety of hi-tech devices choose from. Features and prices vary widely, but all have the same end goal in mind: keeping your loved one safe. They range in price from $100 to about $400, with monitoring costs of up to $80 per month — fees far below care facilities.

“If your loved one needs care, but remains committed to independent living, you’re likely feeling a sense of uncertainty. This is when a personal locator device makes sense,” said Villa Home Care CEO Karen Jeselun, RN, CCM. Jeselun is also part owner of Adiant Solutions — which just introduced a high-end personal locator device to the U.S. market.

These portable devices usually incorporate a global positioning system (GPS), the same technology that’s found in car navigation units. However, unless the GPS device is using assisted GPS technology, it won’t work indoors. Other personal monitoring devices are based only on radio frequencies or cell phone technology. If an individual is in an area without cellular service, the device will not work.

Of course, if the device isn’t on or with the person, it doesn’t do any good either. A patient with dementia, schizophrenia, autism, Down syndrome or other cognitive disorder might take off a bracelet or remove a device from his or her pocket. Or the person may simply forget to take the device with him or her. If any of these are a concern, a bracelet with a tamper-resistant security band is the best option.

For those who want to know if their loved one has begun to wander before they’ve gone missing, look for a device that offers geofencing, real-time tracking and instant alert capabilities, such as Adiant Solutions’ S-911 Bracelet. By logging onto a website, the caregiver or family member can define any sized area — which could be a house, yard or neighborhood — by setting up a virtual geofence. Once a loved one leaves the area, an alert is immediately sent out to emergency contacts. The wanderer can then be easily located and tracked online. The S-911 also features two-way calling with an auto-answering function, allowing the loved one to be called and assured help is on the way, as well as a geo-shock sensor to detect a fall.

It’s important to remember no tracking device can guarantee to save a life; it can at best only help prevent a tragedy. In addition, tracking devices may give a false sense of security by raising the user’s and caregiver’s sense of safety — to the point where they may let down their guard.

“Current technology can do wonders in helping keep track of loved ones and keep them safe,” added Jeselun. “But that doesn’t mean families or caregivers can necessarily take a vacation.”

The best candidates for a personal tracking device are those with a mild cognitive disorder. If the individual is able to preserve his or her dignity, live more independently and conserve resources, and if the family member or caregiver is able to have more peace-of-mind, then utilizing a personal tracking device is probably a good choice.

Source:  Adiant Solutions