A New High-Tech Solution to Alzheimer's Wandering -- And a Warning

Hi Shell Jersey­ Shore, Thanks for your question. Door alarms are one great way to go if they don't want to wear anything. I have also heard baby monitors in the bedroom at night. Here is a great article with a few more suggestions: ( http://www.caring.com/articles/alzheimers-how-to-handle-wandering ). I hope that helps! Take care -- Emily | Community Manager

What do you do when my mom wanders but refuses to wear anything attached to her neck, wrists or ankles? We have put motion alarms on the door knobs. Any suggestions from out there??? It would be appreciated

My Father has Alzheimer’s and episodes of wandering. Recently I coordinated a independent test of a new tracking technology by EM Finders Frisco Texas, www.emfinders.com In the event of a loss of my father the device allows my mother to find my father using the 911 emergency systems in combination with local law enforcement personnel. I typed my MN zip code into the coverage indicator on the home page and determined the wristband worked in my city. I was skeptical and shared the product info with my local police chief. At first he was unaware of the product but after review with the Scott County 911 center he determined the product should work as marketed. The chief and I came to an agreement. If my family would buy the device, the police chief agreed to run a live test in the 911 system to determine performance. The test was run on Jan. 10, 2011. It’s not every day a person is able to run a test in the real life 911 system so I decided to invite a group of credible witnesses to watch the test. This group included law enforcement personnel from two counties and one city; the President of a multi-facility elder care company who is also a board member on the MN Board of Aging; a second executive from another assisted living center; a State Patrol Officer who was also a board member of the MN Police and Peace Officer Association; A autism activist who has testified at the state and national level on behalf of autism children; a county EMS director; an independent attorney; and a reporter and photographer from the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. The group witnessed two tests. The first test was an activation of the device purchased by my family by the primary care giver according to the directions provided. The second was a controlled law enforcement test where the local chief directed an officer to go and hide at a location of the officer’s choice with a wristband in his possession. In test one, within 10 minutes the 911 dispatcher confirmed the location of my family’s device within 100 yards of its location. In the 2nd test, the 911 dispatcher was able to confirm the lost officer’s location within 20 minutes and again within 100 yards. In both instances the device locations appeared in computer mapping software in the 911 center. The maps were printed and presented to myself and the chief and were available immediately as the devices were located on the 911 computer screen. The EMS director stated there are additional 911 technology tools that will increase the 100 yard accuracy. It was my first intention to run the test without EM Finders personnel present. However, at the request of some of the witnesses it was suggested an EM Finders representative be present. I met the representative for the first time at the airport and stated this was not a sales call and he was present to watch and answer questions. The sales representative was asked ever imaginable question by the group and everyone was impressed with how well thought out this product is. The biggest obstacle is informing consumers and law enforcement of its existence. It truly can save lives here in unpredictable Minnesota.

I just came across your site and this sounds like a lovely group that I would like to be part of. Yes wandering off can be a very great concern and one that seems to be effectively addressed by this system you talk about. Thanks for the information.