Experts Encourage the Use of GPS Tracking Devices on Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients
2 Sep 2013GPS technology being used to locate lost dementia and Alzheimer’s patients with the use of its internal tracking functions.
The British Medical Journal (BMH) released a study in June 2013 detailing the benefits of using GPS tracking technology to help medical personnel locate dementia patients who have gotten lost. While some specialists are debating the ethics of tracking patient’s location with the devices, most expert agree it would do more good than harm.
The Statistics
In the UK and U.S., the amount of elderly persons with dementia continues to climb. There are expected to be 200,000 adults develop dementia in Britain in the next 8 years, which will bring the total to more than a million people. In the U.S., over 5 million people have and live with Alzheimer’s disease, and it is the sixth leading cause of death. In the UK, dementia costs approximately $35 billion a year, which will increase as the baby boomer generation reaches their retirement age. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and counts for up to 80 percent of the cases.
Patients who have dementia suffer extreme memory deficiencies, which ultimately results in them wandering and becoming lost. It takes a good deal of time and money to locate the dementia patient, not to mention the worry and stress this puts on their relatives. Experts are promoting the idea of placing a GPS tracker on their person so that medical staff or relatives can locate the patient quickly and easily.
The Debate
The risk of the dementia patient becoming physically injured is increased when they are missing for more than 24 hours, which occurs in nearly half of the patients. There are also cases of dementia and Alzheimer’s patients because they are unable to take care of themselves when they start to wander off. Dr. Rupert McShane of Oxford University is one of many experts in the field that is supportive of using GPS technology, due to these frightening statistics.
Dr. Desmond O’Neill, a professor at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, is on the other side of the debate. He argues that it further objectifies patients with this sensitive disease and leaves them even more powerless. O’Neill believes that it takes away from their personal freedoms as human beings and will offer a false sense of security to caregivers. A major concern is that over time caregivers rely on the GPS trackers, therefore not paying close enough attention to their patients. There is also the risk that the GPS tracking device fails or is removed by the patient.
Aside from these concerns, however, the main consensus is supportive of using tracking devices for the safety of dementia and Alzheimer’s patients..If a dementia patient is wandering past a designated location, a caregiver, medical professional or their relative receives a text message to alert them of what has occurred. It then gives them a map and location of the patient, so that they can get them back to safety. In the end, as it means more safety, security, and lives saved for patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, the benefits of the tracking devices outweigh drawbacks.
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