Out of Home Telecare Tracking
​GPS

Telecare offer tracking devices that use GPS to provide location. These can be supportive for people with dementia who have had previous concerns when out on their own for instance if they have become disorientated or gotten on the wrong bus and cannot find their way home. These Telecare tracking devices have call button that will allow the person wearing them to press if they need assistance. However when consider these you must discuss how they are used with the person as they must be part of the decision-making process. When appropriately used the telecare tracking device can support the person to continue in independent out of the home activities while providing them with security that if they need help they can press the button or there family can check in to see where they are if they are unusually late back. With all monitoring technologies you should consider the following:

• The person wearing the tracking device must be aware that family can locate where they are through the apps and online platform
• The tracking devices must be charged regularly – who will prompt to do this?
• Tracking devices often go into sleep mode when indoors and need activating once outside which can take a few minutes – ask the telecare company this if deciding to get one
• GPS locating updates happen regularly but some may be every 30 secs or every two minutes
• If a person goes indoors, the location given will be the last updated location before entering the shop e.g. location at 2.05 pm on Main Street at 2.06 pm the person enters a shop on Mary’s Street, location cannot be given when indoors and will therefore give the last known location which in this case is Main Street.
• Costs may vary and will require a monthly payment for monitoring 
• The benefits of a tracking device are only helpful if the person is wearing it and it is charged – for some people living on their own and with a memory problem or dementia this may be challenging think of strategies to support this some ideas:
  

                                  Practice at the beginning by prompting the person to wear it and by pressing the call button so it can support their                                                  recall to press if needed
                                  Place a prompt sign on the back of the front door to remind the person to bring necessary items e.g. phone, keys,                                                    wallet and tracking device
                                  Ring each morning to ensure they are wearing the device
                                  Home help could prompt to putting the device on
Below are two types of GPS tracking devices from Telecare please contact them for further information or if you would like to view and discuss these and other strategies to support outdoor movement please contact the occupational therapist at the Memory Technology Library here  

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Task Lola Tracking Locator

• The Lola tracking device monitors the location of an individual outdoors
• It uses satellite (GPS) triangulation to position the device and it can than either send text alerts, emails or notification to the on-line platform via a mobile phone network.
• Create virtual boundaries using the on-line platform
• Alerts will then be automatically generated if the boundary is crossed and sent via message to the family
• Family and carers can download an app that shows the whereabouts of the Lola
• The device can also be programmed to generate a voice call to a designated phone number when the emergency button is pressed
• The internal G sensor can be calibrated to different sensitivities and will send an alert during a fall or sudden impact
• The newest feature of the device is a medical reminder that can be set for up to 6 alarms a day.
• For more information please visit the Task website here or view the Task Lola Tracking Device Information Sheet here 

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Tunstall Pebbell Locator Device 

• The PEBBELL is a personal alarm device with location reporting that combines roaming GSM (mobile communication) and GPS (satellite-based navigation) technologies
• Panic button allows the user to press for help if they are in trouble
• Fall detector on request
• Safe zone, create a boundary where if crossed will send an alert
• Low battery - on request
• Charging station makes it easy to place in for charging
• Apps available for family at an additional cost per family member per month
• Is the size of a security key fob for ease of wearing on a lanyard or key-ring. 
• For more information please visit the Tunstall website here or view the Tunstall Pebbell Information Sheet here