When seniors have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, the world is a scary place. However, ‘scary’ is a mild term compared to the terror of having a loved one lost because of wandering. The worry, grief, and fear takes hold of the caregiver or family. The person lost is in a state of confusion, and panic because of not being in a familiar area, and they can’t find their way home. Time, cost, and concern weighs heavily on the local law enforcement and those searching for the victim. It’s not an easy time for anyone, but there is a helpful solution.
GPS Tracking Device
Tracking devices for seniors help take the guess-work out of finding those who wander. It’s due to pinpointing the area and direction where the senior meandered while wearing the device in a bracelet, necklace, or key ring. In The Daily Mail, a local newspaper in London, the law enforcement are hoping for more utilization of tracking devices because of 44,000 who go missing each year, a large number being ‘wander walkers’.
Research performed by AARP show the numbers for senior caregivers will reach to 117 million by 2020 in America.
By 2020, 117 million Americans are expected to need assistance of some kind, yet the overall number of unpaid caregivers is only expected to reach 45 million.
Is there Opposition?
Unfortunately, the concerns pose some opposition believing the tool is taking away human rights. Therefore, the following suggestion helps to alleviate those concerns:
- Each resident and family must know the drawbacks as well as the benefits to owning the device.
- The issuing of these devices goes only by a case-by-case basis to ensure of no misunderstandings.
When there is an opportunity to help someone as fast as possible, to alleviate fear, concern, and worry, and to help in the way of time, and cost, a tracking device is one benefit for everyone involved.
Find help caring for Alzheimer’s patients at NewLifeStyles.com.