Alzheimers: Parent diagnosed/early stages) + gps tracking.... sincerely welcome hardware recommendations/experiences!

[PhoenixTRX]

Tonight I've started a deep dive into various watches/etc. that seem to serve that purpose. It's a little overwhelming!

With amazing history/assistance from our 'TRX Forum Family', thought I would pose the question!

Ideally....

• watch would probably make the most habitual sense, passive in GPS operation (ie: nothing to turn on/adjust/etc.).
• multiple users could be able to track/access the information.
• integration with an iPhone would be easy/seamless along with usability (think 83yr. old with little tech savy other than attaching an imoge to a text message (major recent breakthrough!).
• battery re-charging/maintenance would be minimal and/or easy to follow (ie: others would get a reminder to charge, helping to 'Police' it's being done).
• robust enough to not come off, possibly challenging enough to prevent the wearer from removing it (perhaps in a confused state?).
• also considering an Apple Air Tag on their vehicle keys too (and making some hard copy folders with DL, vehicle pics + plate/etc. just in case).
• hopefully would have signal strength/abilities that would suffice (Norwich, VT area).

Whether child, dog or elderly ailing Parents... would sincerely appreciate(!!) any candid experiences and GPS/personal tracking equipment opinions, the good/bad and ugly!

THANK YOU!!!
Iain -

Summary/backdrop​

As England/Ireland transplants - 'stiff upper lip'/historic and cultural denial to share health concerns and condemning technology too (she got her first i(Phone) three years ago in her 80's!!!). 82yr old Dad has been diagnosed with 'early stages'. But again, culturally fragmented/minimalistic medical information no doubt!... so I'm trying to get ahead of the curve. My parents seem determined to stay in their rural home (Norwich, VT) as his 'happy place' is endless gardening. My Mother allows him to drive to the VA where he volunteers and a couple other heavily frequented local locales....

Texting tonight - we were surprised she was accepting and admitted concerns should he get lost/disorientated/etc. and I offered we get some sort of device that he would habitually wear for tracking 'just in case'. They've lived a fortunate life of great health/high physical and mental activity and world travel without any incident and Mr Magoo naivety! <- like Hotel Security spotting then extracting them in Johannesburg, SA from a distant/high crime neighborhood during their determined daily 2-3 mile evening walks. !!

Noted to my Mother (reinforcing the use of technology) - that my wife tracks my iPhone (12yrs apart but I have some concerning health issues... so glad for 'air cover')! Im my past career I was involved in a couple BOLO's for lost Seniors, some with tragic endings... and once randomly found a lost Senior couple that ended up on a dead end dirt road hopelessly lost/disorientated and oblivious to the 115d ambient temperature! 'Silver Alert' is the notification on DOT digital information boards/etc.

We're in AZ and have only seen them annually (going back next month). Figured we would get them dialed with this hardware and daily usage.

 

[TRXXRTRX]

Many local jurisdictions have GOS tracking programs for at risk adults, they are worn as a bracelet .

 

[PhoenixTRX]

Many local jurisdictions have GOS tracking programs for at risk adults, they are worn as a bracelet .

Would that be something prescribed?

 

[DanZman]

So sorry to hear this.

My sister has some simple tracking watches for her kids. They are cellular and come with great parental tracking tools. I believe that she just went to Verizon and got them. She seems to be very happy with the purchase.

 

[TRXXRTRX]

Would that be something prescribed?

Here is a link of what is used here:

Project Lifesaver International

Project Lifesaver is the trusted and proven most effective program dedicated to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive conditions that cause the life-threatening behavior of wandering.

projectlifesaver.org

 

[Speedracer]

We use a Jiobit to keep track of our kid when he rides the school bus. It is nice, you can set up geo boundaries and get notifications when the device enters/exits. Battery lasts about a week (more if it is on wifi in a known location)

GPS Tracker for Elderly: Dementia, Alzheimer's | Jiobit

Always know your loved one's location with Jiobit. This tracker gives you accurate and real time alerts about your loved one's location no matter where they are - indoors, outdoors, and all over the world.

www.jiobit.com

 

[PhoenixTRX]

Thank you everyone!!

 

[Dark Wing]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I do hope that you will find the correct path to follow.

 

[SandRex]

There are a lot of necklaces and bracelets that are designed to hold an AirTag - if you are worried about finding her when she doesn’t have keys with her. Amazon and other websites offer a lot of options in different styles. Good luck to you.

 

[WVU_Eric]

One thing that hopefully won't be needed but will be valuable is a camera (Ring, Nest, etc) facing the door to capture a picture when they leave. Should they lose the tracker you would have a picture of what they looked like (clothing, etc) when they left. Extremely helpful for law enforcement and news coverage. Again, hope you never need it.

 

[PhoenixTRX]

One thing that hopefully won't be needed but will be valuable is a camera (Ring, Nest, etc) facing the door to capture a picture when they leave. Should they lose the tracker you would have a picture of what they looked like (clothing, etc) when they left. Extremely helpful for law enforcement and news coverage. Again, hope you never need it.

Thank you!

I have asked her to make hardcopies of his DL and their vehicles (front/back/sides and plate) too. A NEST camera in their garage (primary/daily entry and egress) is a great idea (although with their lack of tech affinity - we would probably be the primary viewer (from AZ).

 

[Moparornocar]

I have a small device called " Pawfit" on one of my dogs that will show you on your phone where he is at any time. it will also allow you to set boundaries and notify you when they leave it or return inside. it uses satellites' but you need cell coverage to watch it.

I lost my mom to it a couple years ago so I know what you're up against. but it might be a while before you know for sure what the challenges will be. sometimes they wonder off, or sometimes like my mother you can't get them to leave. it was a battle to get her out of her house for a doctor appointment or anything. so tracking her wasn't an issue at all.

Good luck and hopefully the advancement will be slow. just remember they can't help what they do and neither can you so just roll with it.

 

[RedEyeTRX]

You have likely already looked into it, but there are a number of Medical Alert companies who provide a necklace that includes GPS tracking and fall alerts. We are using something similar for my wife's Mother (85) who is in a Florida assisted living facility. It gives us some peace of mind. Best !