Tracking people when they're gone - or noticing before they've left? I spent the weekend researching various technology offerings that might prevent an 87-year-old able-bodied person with dementia from wandering beyond a specified area in independent or assisted living campuses. I've looked into it -- and I have to say, I am disappointed -- the hype exceeds at least my research reality.That GPS shoe hyped in the press? I just called Foot.com -- it will be out now in the Spring, 2011. Geo-fencing devices like SentryGPS, Alzguard -- require placing a device in the pocket that is easily discarded into the trash by a wandering senior. LoJack, EmFinders, The Alzheimer's ComfortZone, etc. all help find a person who is already lost -- and require involvement of local police departments. And based on Internet searching of the 'geo-fencing' ideas, the websites and references indicate to me that they aren't that widely deployed.
Big conference, lots of empathy and caring. It's been a while since I attended an event exclusively focused on Alzheimer's -- I wondered if the curiosity about technology potential I encounter at so many other events would be duplicated.
GTX Corp and Aetrex Worldwide, Inc. Sign Licensing Agreement to Deliver Patented GPS Shoes Worldwide
Aetrex, a company committed to foot health for three generations and GTX Corp’s patented GPS shoe technology are making it possible for caregivers of Alzheimer’s victims to keep one step ahead of the millions of those afflicted that may wander.
