Should tracking devices be part of dementia care?
Tracking devices may be a great way to keep a loved one with dementia safe, but they can also raise legal and ethical issues. We look at both sides of the argument…
In a nutshell
Do you worry that a loved one with dementia might go missing? One of the greatest fears many family carers have is that the person they love will get lost or disorientated when they’re out on their own. There are many horror stories in the press confirming that this does sadly happen. So it’s hardly surprising that tracking device – sometimes called a locator device or safer walking technology – are becoming a more and more popular part of dementia care because they can monitor your loved one’s whereabouts, and could help you locate them if they walk away.
Here are the pros and cons of tracking devices so you – and the person you’re caring for – can make up your own minds.
Pros
Greater independence
A tracking device can allow a person with dementia to remain independent, knowing that if they get lost or feel unwell, a loved one will be able to assist them quite easily.
Increased confidence
A dementia diagnosis can shatter self-confidence. Whilst some people still insist on going out, others become too afraid to leave home on their own – a locator device could offer an invaluable boost to self-esteem.
Peace of mind for both of you
If you can have five minutes to yourself without having to worry that the person you’re caring for might leave the house and go missing, it’s bound to make you feel less anxious. It might even improve your relationship with them. It’s also worth remembering that people in the early stages of dementia are often very aware of how much their families are worrying about them and may therefore be quite happy to wear a GPS tracking device, as a way of offering them reassurance.
Allows normal life to continue
Most people with dementia want to stay in their own home for as long as possible and tracking devices can play an important role in making that happen.
Lots of choice and variety
There’s a big range in price – you might find trackers are cheaper than you think – and a wide range of ways to use them, you can attach them to key rings or even have one put in a shoe!
Cons
Loss of privacy
Some people believe tracking devices go against important principles of freedom and civil liberty. Does anyone, they argue, have the right to take away another person’s freedom to go where they please, when they please, simply because they have dementia?
Stigma and loss of dignity
It could be argued that tracking devices are the same as the ‘tags’ we use on dogs and criminals. This same argument might also apply to the tracking technology widely available for children.
They’re dehumanising
The challenges of the dementia journey are human and critics say they should be solved by human beings, not by technology.
They could lead to reduced quality of care
If tracking devices become an essential, everyday part of the care package, some people fear they could lead to a reduction in staff supervision in care homes, and a more lax approach to dementia care in general.
Three common questions
1. Should I ask permission before using a tracking device?
Yes, you should ask the person with dementia if they agree to you using this kind of device. Make sure you explain carefully what the tracking device is, and why you think it could be a good idea. If they have concerns, talk about them and be willing to repeat the conversation as many times as necessary.
Tip: If they were recently diagnosed and a tracking device isn’t necessary – yet – it’s worth having a conversation about them anyway and asking their views. If they’re happy for a device to be used at some point in the future, you could consider having this included in an advanced decision so that everyone is clear about it and to avoid ethical worries when the time comes to need one
2. What if they agree, but then change their mind?
This can be tricky but it’s worth reminding them what the tracking device is for and why it could give them more freedom and independence.
3. What if they can’t decide for themselves?
Are you sure about that? Take a look at The Mental Capacity Act 2005 before making any judgement one way or another.
If you’re still sure they can’t decide for themselves, and you have Power of Attorney, it’s your duty to act in their best interest. If you feel a tracking device is necessary and genuinely in their best interests, it could be the right thing to do.
If you don’t have Power of Attorney and no advanced decision has been made, then the decision about using a tracking device should rest with the person who does have Power of Attorney, although it’s usually best if the whole family can come to a decision together, preferably one which feels right for everyone – and which respects what you all believe your loved one would want.
Choosing the right tracker for both of you
If you’ve weighed up the pros and cons and decided that a tracker is the right choice for both you and your loved one, you may be wondering what next. We’ve handpicked two of the most popular tracking devices to help you make up your mind.
1) Personal Alarm & GPS Tracker
An all-round tracker, the Personal Alarm & GPS Tracker is safety made simple and affordable.
Features include:
– Personal alarm with two-way calling: Talk to your emergency contacts just by pressing the SOS alarm button. Your family and friends can also call you anytime through the app.
– GPS tracking and geofencing: For reassurance, family and friends can monitor your location through the app and set-up specific location alerts for when the tracker leaves the specified area.
– Tracking history: See where the tracker has been over a specified period of time.
2) GPS Smart Soles GPS Tracker
GPS Smart Soles contain one of the strongest and most reliable geofencing tracking devices on the market.
Features include:
– Invisible technology: The insoles are discreet and comfortable, maintaining the security and dignity of your loved one.
– Discreet: The person is only tracked when they leave a pre-defined geo-zone that you deem to be safe, such as the garden or street. This increases their privacy and independence.
– Share the care: Alerts and updates can be sent to an unlimited number of people. So friends, family, neighbours and carers can all be involved in keeping your loved one safe.
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