Radio frequency locator devices, originally developed to locate autistic children, have potential for helping to locate a person with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia, but there are major drawbacks that need to be resolved before they're reliable.

For example, in our testing, we were only able to locate each other at a country fair and on a residential street 50% of the time, but not at all in a large New York above ground train station. At times we had interference, like thick walls or trees that rendered the device useless, sending us in the wrong direction or not even registering a location.

We're reporting on this device because it is now advertised & promoted for helping locate persons with Alzheimer's and it may be helpful in some limited situations, when it works. For example, a short distance locator alarm could be useful in backyards; for example, you may think it's safe for the person to be gardening, but want assurance just in case they wander off.

But you'll need to test any product you're considering using several times to see if it works for your desired applications. And you still need to have other strategies in place - make sure the person carries ID on them (card in wallet, labels in clothes, etc.) just in case the device you're using doesn't work.

Other challenging hurdles include having to charge the batteries regularly and getting the person to use the tracking device.

We recommend encouraging the person to wear a bright hat, shirt or jacket. When we were attempting to locate each other, it made it so much easier to find the person when we were wearing bright colors.