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By Greg Bartlett

There are 5.3 million people in the United States affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.  A new case of Alzheimer’s is diagnosed every 70 seconds.  Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

GPS Tracking & Alzheimers

Alzheimer’s has many symptoms and several stages, but one of the most dangerous symptoms of the disease is “wandering” – the victim wanders away from home, leaving caregivers and family members in distress.  As some doctors point out, sometimes the patient may have deteriorated mentally before they deteriorate physically, leaving them in a condition to wander for many many miles and hours before they become exhausted.  Sometimes the patient is missed early, is located, and is easily led home.  Others leave home in all weathers and conditions never to be found again.

What makes this wandering tendency so dangerous is that the patient does not realize that they are lost or in trouble-they don’t stop to ask for help and simply become confused as to where they actually are.  They are almost always unable to find their way back home.  Sometimes the patient is found with serious injuries due to exposure.  In far too many cases, the victim is found dead.  Some states have “silver alerts,” similar to amber alerts (amber alerts notify a community when a child has been abducted).  The silver alert would notify the area when an older adult is missing.  There are similar things that people have developed to help with this problem, but when your patient is lost, time is of the essence in order to avert injury and possible tragedy.

Alzheimer’s patients in the stage of the disease where wandering becomes a danger must have constant surveillance, and it is nearly impossible for caregivers and family members to maintain a 24-hour vigilance over their loved one.  One way to help with this problem among Alzheimer’s sufferers and their families is to implement a GPS tracking device for the patient.  A GPS tracking device can help you keep a constant watch on the whereabouts of the wearer.  The satellites are able to ascertain the longitude and latitude of the person wearing the receiver, and the information downloads constantly from satellites to the internet or to a mobile device.

If your loved one wanders off, you will be able to instantly track their location and reach them before it is too late.  Investing in a GPS tracking device for your loved one with Alzheimer’s is a small price to pay for their safety and your peace of mind.