GPS Tracking for Alzheimer's: A Timely Tool for Early-Stage Patients

As a neurologist working with early-stage dementia patients, you’ve probably heard many stories from caregivers about patients wandering off. You’ve been adhering to traditional treatment protocols, but they do little to give a sense of control of the patient’s safety, leaving you feeling helpless. Although not widely practiced, you may want to consider how global positioning system (GPS) tracking devices could help support your patients and their caregivers.

One of the most frightening parts of dementia is the slow, progressive decline of the patient’s ability to recognize their loved ones and their surroundings. Memory loss, altered communication and erratic behavior leave family and friends with unbearable emotional strain and immense burdens. As Pam, whose mother had advanced dementia, described, “Sometimes at night I would just cry because I felt helpless,” when her mother with dementia wandered off for several hours before being located by the police several blocks away.

As a patient’s disease progresses, there is an increased risk that they will experience disorientation and restlessness. This can leave caregivers feeling distressed and out of control, as was the case with Pam. “Emotionally, that took it out of me. I wasn’t sleeping at night. I would sleep maybe a couple of hours and wake up because I was afraid if I overslept, my mother would get up and wander.”

Pam was beginning to feel that keeping her mother at home was no longer the safest option. The risks for an individual with dementia to become lost can be severe, including mortality, injury, dehydration, and hypothermia. The worry and anxiety felt by loved ones can continue throughout the disease course, creating an unrelenting cycle of frustration and fear. Unfortunately, traditional treatment protocols do little to address these types of situations while also trying to keep the dementia patient at home in a safe and familiar environment. Often, patients are placed in skilled nursing facilities away from their cherished belongings and loved ones. This atmosphere leaves them surrounded by unfamiliar faces with little cognitive stimulation, resulting in a poor quality of life.

While traditional treatment protocols cannot ensure a patient’s safety at home, complementing conventional treatment with GPS tracking can potentially enhance patient safety and caregiver peace of mind.

GPS tracking devices offer caregivers invaluable peace of mind by ensuring the safety and well-being of their loved ones with dementia. These devices provide continuous 24/7 monitoring, offering precise location updates through portable devices such as smartphones, navigation systems, and wearables. Caregivers can easily access real-time location information and historical data using various smart devices, including mobile phones. Furthermore, GPS systems come equipped with features like alerts and boundary notifications, instantly reassuring caregivers about the safety of their dementia patients.

GPS tracking devices, equipped with multiple user-friendly features, also have the ability to extend the time dementia patients spend in their familiar home environments. A Norwegian study highlighted the benefits of prolonged home-based care for individuals with dementia or cognitive dysfunction, enabling a more active lifestyle.3 Likewise, the United Kingdom's Operation Magnet trial examined the effectiveness of GPS devices in supporting individuals with dementia.4 The study's results indicated that this technology empowers families to make informed decisions, reducing risks for dementia patients while preserving their independence. In this way, GPS tracking technology offers families a valuable tool to enhance safety while maintaining the autonomy of individuals with dementia.

Whatever a patient’s home situation may be, GPS tracking devices can complement their personalized care plan. GPS Trackers can come in the form of a wearable device or keychain. This allows for a lightweight, comfortable device (watch, bracelet, or necklace) which may go unnoticed and is easy to wear. Other features include size variations, water-resistant and waterproof designs, and a built-in alarm button.

While GPS tracking technology can offer many benefits for dementia patients and their loved ones, there are some important things to consider before recommending them. Family support is vital to the successful use of GPS technology, as its effectiveness requires full cooperation from those who interact with a patient most often. Close supervision is crucial, with the collaborative efforts of professional caregivers and loved ones helping to drive optimal outcomes.

As with all technology, training and proper use of GPS tracking is key to gain the benefit. Not being comfortable with computers and the internet can make it difficult to use GPS tracking properly and may confuse the person who is receiving the information, leading to frustration. Extra training may be required for patients or caregivers who are not as technologically savvy to guarantee proficiency with a GPS tracking device.

Location can impact the accuracy of the GPS locator technology. Rural locations often have limited network coverage which can impact GPS reliability. On the other hand, densely populated areas with tall buildings or near a large body of water can also interfere with GPS satellite location, blocking a direct path for signals, causing interference and inaccuracies. Although these obstacles can introduce some challenges for accuracy, the GPS system has built in redundancy and signal correction algorithms to maintain accuracy in most environments.

Finally, when considering the financial aspect of GPS trackers, it is important to note that cost may be prohibitive for some patients due to various expenses associated with these devices. For instance, many GPS trackers are expensive to purchase, have monthly service charges, and may require routine maintenance or regular upgrades. Additional fees may be imposed for enhancements and added features including SOS emergency buttons, two-way calling, audio monitoring, or fitness devices providing other health metrics.

If you’re looking for a way to help, give your early-stage dementia patients and their loved one’s greater peace of mind, consider recommending GPS tracking technology. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association page for more information.

Author: Nazree Williams