The security of our elderly parents is something that many of us will struggle with as they age. We all want to be sure that they are safe and secure in their homes, or at least where we last left them.
Many people are taken aback when they discover that their relative has been struggling with dementia. They might be shocked and frightened by the diagnosis, wondering what it means for their lives. Dementia can be a difficult subject to talk about freely because of its emotional weight, but it’s important to discuss this issue with loved ones in order to advocate for them and provide support.
Wandering can be a particularly concerning manifestation of dementia, as this condition often makes people more vulnerable to getting lost or hurt. There is always the fear that seniors with dementia may get confused if they head out alone. Also, there is a risk that some may have a fall while outside.
Why Do Dementia Patients Go Wandering?
Dementia is a common condition that causes memory loss, cognitive difficulties, impaired language skills and reduced ability to reason. It also triggers more general behavioural changes. Wandering is one of the more challenging and potentially dangerous behaviours associated with dementia, as it can increase the risk of a person being injured or lost away from home. Generally speaking, wandering occurs in 50% of people with dementia at some point during their illness (Mayo Clinic Staff 2007). It can lead to accidents such as falls or drowning, and in some cases patients even disappear permanently.
The challenge of wandering is that it often occurs in elderly patients who live alone or have few caregivers who are able to closely monitor them 24 hours a day. A relative may no longer be able to recognise their loved one or know where they are, which can be especially distressing during nighttime hours when the patient might wander.
There is little that these patients can do to help avoid wandering, and their caregivers might be unable to predict when it will occur. So what are families supposed to do if their relative starts wandering?
You should plan ahead for wandering by consulting with your loved one’s doctor and ensuring that you have a plan for monitoring their whereabouts. Ideally, families should identify a nurse or senior care provider who can provide around-the-clock care in case the patient wanders off. This person can also keep you informed of symptoms that the patient exhibits and help you plan around them.
GPS Trackers- One Solution for a Very Common Problem
There are lots of products that add senior tracking as a tag in their supposed purpose. Some are more dedicated to this aim than others, as you will see from the products below. The most important thing is that the best GPS trackers for seniors have smart, reliable real-time readings. They should also be easy to use and provide just enough features to help – rather than too many.
A GPS tracker can keep an eye on an elderly parent’s movements when you aren’t there to do so. The devices collect data on their routes and movements and send alerts when there is a problem. This could be an email alert when wearers go out of range or an SOS SMS from the wearer themselves.
The following five products are some of the best available right now. They each have their benefits and flaws. This is why we have created these objective reviews with some clear pros and cons. By the end, you should have a better idea of the type of product you want.
1) Laxcido GPS Smart Watch
A wearable GPS tracker is one of the best ways of tracking seniors. As more and more seniors get lost, a 4G GPS smart watch is one sure way of helping you protect their safety and security.
What is even better is having an all-inclusive GPS smartwatch. Not only is this Laxcido a smartwatch, but it is also a cellphone meant for 2-way communication. It also features a heart rate monitor, step counter and blood pressure monitor.
Pros
- The 2-way communication functionality
- Loved ones can get to you with an SOS emergency button
- GPS tracker easily identifies when you’re lost
- Waterproof capability
Cons
- The smart watch can showcase different location frequency updates on IOS and android.
- Sometimes communicating with tech support can be quite difficult.
The tracker has two-way communication, which can be life-saving in an emergency. It’s the equivalent of carrying your phone around on your wrist.
The watch has a heart rate monitor, step counter and blood pressure monitor – all crucial indicators that provide one with regular updates of the health of their loved one.
Is it recommendable?
Yes, it is correct. Especially with the SOS emergency call service, which can assist in circumstances where family members are injured in a strange location. The watch will quickly notify you that they require assistance and will also provide you with their position.
What’s more, this smartwatch has geo-fencing capabilities. A safety perimeter can be set up for a loved one to roam about in, and if they leave that area, an alarm will go off instantly.
2) KKBear GPS Senior Tracking Smart Watch
The next device is one that will appeal to many buyers because it looks so much like a smartwatch, rather than any sort of surveillance or security device. This is because of the large screen, the bold time display and the three app-like icons for the different functions.
The pros and cons of this GPS tracker for seniors
Pros:
- The three different call modes.
- 2-way communication for increased security
- A “Do not disturb” function to help with user privacy
Cons:
- Lots of superfluous features.
- The size of the keyboard on the small screen
The main benefit of this system is the idea of two-way communication. There are too many products that focus on the relative and the tracking software. This watch has the ability to send calls and messages, but also to receive them. This means that not only can wearer send SOS alerts or make calls if they get lost, but relatives can also check in with ease. This is a great help and there are strong lines of communication here. An added bonus is the ability to turn off incoming alerts at designated times – such as nap times or hospital appointments.
These basic call and messaging features are enough on their own to provide a secure line of communication. There is no need for all the other features like the step counter, voice chat and remote photos. This confuses the system and can deplete the battery. There are also some comments about the size of the keyboard on the display. This may be far too small for those with immobility in their fingers or poor eyesight.
Is it recommendable?
The drawbacks seen in this watch come from the fact that this is primarily designed as a watch for children, rather than one for seniors. The quality of the two-way communication system and clever alert mean that it has great potential for seniors too. But, it may be too complicated for all elderly users.
3) Tycho Real-time GPS Senior Tracking Watch
This model from Tycho takes a very similar approach to the function and design of the watch. It seems that brands have come to realise that there is a winning formula with the size, shape and functions of these watches. This means that it shares many of the same pros and cons as the KKBear option.
The pros and cons of this GPS tracker for seniors
Pros:
- The comfortable, wearable design
- The easy-to-use alert systems
- The quality of the data to help seniors further
Cons:
- Occasional moments where it loses the signal
- A short battery life compared to some other devices
The benefits here are familiar to those that have used smart or tracking watches before. This watch has a comfortable strap with a secure buckle, a large screen with a time display and enough helpful apps. There are also colour choices in the strap. The GPS system keeps track of the movements of the wearer and offers a reliable alert system. There is also a record of steps and routes to help buyers learn about the habits of the wearer.
When it comes to the negative side of this watch, there are some of the same design issues with the small keyboard and the apps. This is targetted towards kids and parents more than seniors. Some users have also noticed that the signal isn’t 100% reliable. There are moments where it can drop out and get a little confused.
Others would prefer this watch if it had a longer battery life. An 8-10 hour lifespan means that it is great for the school day. Parents can recharge the watch at night. This isn’t as helpful for seniors that may forget to charge it up.
Is it recommendable?
A recommendation here will depend on how badly you are relying on the data for daily updates. The battery life could be the deal breaker here. Otherwise, there are enough interesting features in the apps and tech to appease most users. It is smart, informative and relatively easy to use.
4) Americaloc GL300W GPS Senior Tracker
The next two products in this list aren’t wearable watches. This time we want to look at a pair of portable devices that track users in a different manner. This tracker uses real-time information and updates while hidden in the car or bag of the target.
The pros and cons of this GPS device for seniors
Pros:
- Real-time tracking data
- 4G tech to be sure of a reliable connection for a long time to come
- A long-lasting 2-week battery
Cons:
- Not a wearable device
- A paid subscription
One of the main aims here seems to be to provide peace of mind to families of seniors. Buyers want to be sure that this system will always keep track of the “target”. This is made possible thanks to the use of real-time data and the instant updates to the user’s device. The high-tech 3G system will continue to provide these reading across reliable networks – to the point where users can watch movement on a map. Add in the SOS button and the long battery life and it is easy to see why there are so many positive Amazon ratings for this system.
However, there are some downsides here that buyers need to be aware of. First of all, there is a paid subscription to the tracking service. These great features and instant responses aren’t going to come for free. Still, there is a free month for new subscribers. The other issue here is the fact that this isn’t a wearable device. It fits nicely into backpacks and pockets and sits on car dashboards. But, will seniors remember to carry it? Is it too easily lost?
Is it recommendable?
There are elements to this product that aren’t ideal for use with seniors, especially when compared with the watches above. However, the GPS software and other tech seem to be more impressive. It really does come down to weighing up the pros and cons and applying them to your situation.
5) Spy Tec STI Portable Senior Tracker
The next product in this guide to the best senior trackers is another one that is portable, rather than wearable. Again, there are aspects to the design and service that suggest that this is for sneaky surveillance on spouses. However, the quality of the tech and the functions do have potential for use with elderly relatives too.
The pros and cons of this GPS tracker for seniors.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Different mounting options for a wider range of applications
- Reliable text and email geofencing alerts.
Cons:
- Not as mobile-friendly as some other devices
- Some issues with the customer service
Let’s start with the benefits of this system. This is a small, portable device that can be used to track “anyone”. There are different ways of using the system thanks to a magnetic case and belt clip. The latter is ideal for seniors that may wander off. It reduces the risk of them dropping or losing the product. The geofencing system then offers clear alerts when the target is out of range. Most users will receive reliable text or email alerts. There is also the option of tracking via Google Maps.
Again, there are some downsides in the service charges and the non-wearable design. The intended purpose of this system actually seems to be for tracking cheating partners. That is why there is such a focus on the ability to stick this to the underside of a vehicle. This feature is useless for senior surveillance. There have been some complaints about the fact that this isn’t as mobile-friendly as other devices. The best results are only clearly seen via desktop applications. There are also those that question the $25 per month service, especially when the customer support team isn’t always that helpful.
Is it recommendable?
There is something a little off-putting about the sneaky, underhanded side to this product. You aren’t looking to catch senior relatives out when they misbehave. You simply want to know when they are unsafe. The GPS tech and simple alerts do allow for that. But, does this have enough features for true peace of mind. The choice here depends on your needs and intentions.
Additional Product to Check Out- Spy Spot 4G Portable Real Time Mini GPS Micro Tracker
Even though this list was meant for wearable GPS smart watches, this next product is not one. Instead, it’s a miniature GPS tracker initially designed for vehicle and asset tracking.
In this case, it is attached to a target and one can track it in real-time. With features such as geo-fence boundary alert crossings, motion alert, low battery, and other improved reporting features, this micro tracker is just the tiniest and most multipurpose tracker.
Pros
- Accurate tracking
- Long-lasting battery
- Real-time data tracking
Cons
- Not a wearable device
- Could drop if not well attached
- Requires service subscription
If you have to get a GPS tracking device, get one with a long-lasting battery. This GL300W tracking device comes with a 2600 mAh battery. This is way superior than other 1700mAh batteries which are older GL300Ws.
Is it recommendable?
Even if you can view 6 months of history and track the device in real time, you still have to pay for subscription. Many people are not a fun of this but if you want the best, you have to pay for it.
