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By Greg Bartlett

With 26.6 million people diagnosed with Alzheimers, far too many families understand the risk and concerns that go along with caring for a victim of this disease. Alzheimer patients will often wander away from their family and/or caretakers without giving any information about where they went.

GPS Tracking & Alzheimer's

Since the invention of GPS tracking, it has been used in several ways. Police can track criminals on parole, parents can track their young teenage drivers, and suspicious spouses can monitor their possibly unfaithful mate. Recently, several states have discussed widening its uses and implementing GPS devices into their Silver Alert Programs.

The tendency of Alzheimer victims to wander has given rise to Silver Alerts. Similar to Amber Alert, Silver Alerts allow caretakers and family to broadcast, over the television, radio, or other media, information about a missing Alzheimer sufferer. GPS tracking can make finding someone in these dangerous and too often heartbreaking situations easier. Families can put a GPS device into the shoe or some other piece of clothing of a loved one. Alerts will be sent to family members phone or computer if the loved one passes a certain line. Also, GPS tracking devices can help families avoid situations like that of 77 year old William Young, found dead in a river after wandering from his house several days earlier. One can only wonder how Young’s situation and other like it might have ended differently were Young outfitted with a GPS device.

GPS devices have already been useful in similar situations. In fact, due to the success of GPS tracking in such circumstances, Indianapolis is discussing making these devices mandatory for Alzheimer victims. Discussion continues on this possible piece of legislation. Many groups feel the move is unnecessary, others feel it will save lives. However, both sides agree that an optional GPS program, at least, will greatly decrease the chances of more missing or dead Alzheimers victims and their grieving families. Regardless of whether a law is passed, all families dealing with an Alzheimer Disease situation need to consider GPS tracking.

Many families and caretakers may wonder if the price of a GPS tracking device is worth the investment. However, with prices always falling and the safety of a loved one in question, these devices are worth the investment. Those with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer Disease should start looking into the devices immediately.