GPS for AD patients? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

Beginning · 04-25-2005, 10:03 AM

Another Alzheimer's patient is in the news (Western PA), having wandered away from home two days' ago. This was the second time that he wandered away, and this time they haven't been able to find him. With the cold and snow flurries, I've been watching the TV news with dread. I imagine myself in the shoes of the family looking for their loved one.

My husband is still in early-moderate stage. I'm terrified that someday he will get lost too. Our AD Center told me that there may not be a clear progression or warnings to alert that he might wander or get lost. Sometimes the risk will be obvious, but not always -- they warned that he could be walking the dog one day and forget how to get home.

I ordered the bracelet for him that was recommended by the neurologist -- but we're in a quiet suburban area where he might wander for a long time before anyone even talked to him. I see that there are some small GPS systems that are being sold for Alzheimers' patients. Has anyone ever used one of these systems?

Martha H · 04-25-2005, 10:36 AM

Sorry I can't help you, Beginning. My Mom has a medic alert pendant on. Here in the city, anyone could call if they found her wandering. Out in the country it must be much more scary. It may become necessary to lock him in the house, or have a person go with him everywhere he goes ..an Aide or you . and eventually he might need to be in an asisted living facility. So sorry this is happening to you. You have my sympathies.

love,

Martha

angel_bear · 04-25-2005, 04:02 PM

Nothing would be more frightening than to discover .. you've lost a family member .. lost in the operative sense of the word ...

My friends Dad escaped from his nursing home and it wasn't noticed until about 1.30am when a bed check was done. They called the Police, and then my friend, and everybody spent HOURS hunting for him. He was eventually found, and taken back to the nursing home. When asked "where were you going?" he replied "fishing of course, where else?"

It boggles the mind when you try and put yourself in their shoes ...

Fortunately, I don't get snow in my neck of the woods, our COLDEST winter day I've experienced is -2 Celcius which is still cold enough to do damage to a frail person. We have those wanderer's too here in Australia. My MIL is on 'the list' with the local Police Station with a photo of her as well as all contact numbers for family members. Perhaps you could also arrange something similar with your Police? All my MIL's regular shops too (Bakery, Supermarket, chemist) are warned and she is to be held until a family member is sighted or contacted. Extreme measures, but extreme circumstances too.

Goodluck
Hugs
Sally

LuvMyLilDoggie · 04-25-2005, 04:46 PM

Are you talking about a micro chip? My dog has that but I thought it was illegal for humans in the US. I think it would be great for dementia patients.

Love, Barb

SiestaDrew · 04-25-2005, 05:52 PM

My hubby has a bit different kind of dementia then AD but if we are in a busy place and he thinks he sees someone that looks like me he will follow them. So it is very scary about getting lost. My hubby is in the advanced stages so long ago he quit walking the dog on his own--good news, I was blessed cuz he too recognized it, that he was not really sure how to get back. I have heard tho, that with AD, it is different, they really do not have that sense of right or wrong. In the early stages I had my hubby carry a cell phone on his belt, it was part of our morning ritual, that way if he took too long to walk the dog, I would call and he would answer and then I could take the car and find him.

Anyway, what I wanted to say is I would do GPS in a heartbeat--and did not know that was available and would be very very interested in it. Could you please tell me where you found that info.

Thanks and good luck to you, Linda