GPS for Grannies

Two years ago I wrote about GPS technology being available in shoes for Alzheimer’s patients who might wander.  

It seemed like a wonderful idea, despite several issues--

The patient had to be wearing the shoes

Limitations of GPS technology

Expense of the shoes and the monthly monitoring service

Now a new and greater problem has come up:  the shoes  apparently are not being made any more.

A possible alternative is a Keruve wristwatch. I haven't tried them but you can check them out at http://www.keruve.com/

Wandering is a serious problem. The patient is not having a pleasant stroll; he or she is probably agitated and frightened and may become injured or worse.

The Mayo Clinic estimates more than 60% of Alzheimer’s patients wander at some time.

Locking doors may not help unless the lock is a deadbolt with the key removed. Although solving the wandering problem, this increases the danger if there is a fire or other emergency in the home.