Elderly safety is a growing concern for many families and caregivers. As our loved one's age, ensuring their well-being and security becomes more important. Traditional methods of monitoring can be challenging and often insufficient to provide the constant supervision that seniors may need.

The rise of technology in senior care has introduced new tools and solutions to enhance the safety and independence of elderly individuals. Among these innovations, GPS trackers have emerged as a particularly effective means of keeping track of seniors' whereabouts and ensuring their security.

This article aims to explore the benefits of GPS trackers for elderly safety. We will discuss how these devices work, their key advantages, and why they are becoming essential for senior care.

Key Takeaway

• Enhanced Safety: Real-time location tracking and emergency SOS features.
• Increased Independence: Seniors can move freely with remote monitoring.
• Peace of Mind: Provides reassurance to families and caregivers.
• Health Monitoring: Includes features like heart rate tracking and fall detection.
• Geofencing: Alerts if seniors leave designated safe zones.

What Are the Safety Risks Seniors Face?

Most of the security risks seniors face happen at home and usually when they are left unattended. Here are the most common risks seniors face while at home.

1. Slips and falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, falls are the leading cause of injuries and deaths among elderly Americans. Since we can’t be there all the time to altogether eradicate the possibility of them falling, it is best that we equip them with the necessary tools to call for help the second something bad happens. 

2. Medication

Seniors must take the right dosage of their medicines on time. But this can be a difficult task for the elderly, especially when there’s no one to remind them. For this reason, medication management becomes one of the risks seniors faces at home. Overdosing on medicine is also a scary possibility.

3. Risk of Crime

Seniors are more prone to major security risks like crime, especially when they are left unattended at home. They are defenceless against thieves, fraudsters, and other criminals, which is why homes for the aged are required to have strong security locks in place.

4. Risk of Fire 

Persons with frail health conditions and aged 65 and older are vulnerable to fire-related accidents. From 2009 to 2013 alone, the study of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reveals that 32% (approximately 877) of fire-related deaths involved seniors.

5. Mental conditions

Mental illness is one of the common risk's seniors faces. As they get even older, they are more likely to develop cognitive impairment, anxiety, and mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. The United States Alzheimer’s Association states that late-life mental diseases mostly progress to severe dementia, which is one of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2019. It’s the 6th leading cause of death in the United States as 1 in 3 seniors dies from it, killing the elderly more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability, which includes memory loss and a decline in language and thinking skills, severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, and people with this condition often get disoriented or lost even in familiar places.

Understanding GPS Trackers

GPS trackers are small devices that use the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine and track the precise location of a person, vehicle, or object. 

They work by receiving signals from a network of satellites orbiting the Earth, calculating their position based on the distance from these satellites, and then transmitting this information to a central monitoring system, usually through the internet or a cellular network.

For elderly individuals, there are several types of GPS trackers available:

1. Wearable GPS Trackers: These trackers are designed to be worn as accessories such as wristbands, necklaces, or pendants. They are lightweight and easy to carry, making them ideal for seniors who might forget or have difficulty using more complex devices.

2. Portable GPS Trackers: These are small, handheld devices that can be carried in a pocket or bag. They are often equipped with long-lasting batteries and may include features like emergency buttons for quick assistance.

3. Smartphone Apps: Many modern smartphones have built-in GPS capabilities, and there are numerous apps available that can turn a phone into a GPS tracking device. These apps can be useful for tech-savvy seniors who already use smartphones.

4. Medical Alert Systems with GPS: These devices combine the features of a medical alert system with GPS tracking. They typically include emergency buttons that, when pressed, connect the user to emergency services and transmit their location.

GPS Tracker For Elderly Safety

GPS trackers enhance elderly safety by providing real-time location tracking, emergency alerts, and health monitoring. These devices ensure seniors' security and offer peace of mind to families and caregivers.

1. Real-Time Location Tracking
Tracki GPS Tracker provides real-time location tracking, allowing caregivers and family members to monitor the whereabouts of their elderly loved ones at all times. This feature helps prevent seniors from wandering and getting lost.

2. Emergency SOS Button
The Tracki GPS Tracker has an emergency SOS button that seniors can press to alert authorities and designated contacts immediately, ensuring quick assistance in emergencies such as falls or medical issues.

3. Geofencing
Tracki allows the setting of geofences and virtual boundaries around specific areas. Caregivers receive instant alerts if the senior leaves these safe zones, which is particularly useful for those prone to wandering.

4. Driving Safety
For seniors who drive, Tracki can be installed in their vehicle to monitor driving habits and location. It provides information on speeding, sudden brakes, and impact, enhancing safety on the road.

5. Independence and Peace of Mind
Tracki allows seniors to maintain their independence while ensuring their safety. Families and caregivers can monitor their location and health, providing peace of mind.

6. Easy to Use and Versatile
The Tracki GPS Tracker is user-friendly and can be worn as a bracelet, watch, belt, or keychain, making it convenient for seniors to carry and use.

Benefits of GPS Trackers for Elderly Safety

1. Enhanced Safety and Security
One of the primary benefits of GPS trackers for the elderly is enhanced safety and security. These devices offer real-time location tracking, which helps prevent seniors from wandering and getting lost. Many GPS trackers also come with emergency SOS features that allow users to call for immediate assistance at the press of a button, ensuring help is always within reach.

2. Increased Independence
GPS trackers enable seniors to maintain their independence while staying safe. With these devices, elderly individuals can move freely without constant supervision. Families and caregivers can monitor their location remotely, allowing seniors to enjoy more freedom and a higher quality of life.

For families and caregivers, GPS trackers provide peace of mind. Knowing the exact location of their elderly loved ones at all times helps alleviate anxiety and stress. In case of emergencies, caregivers can respond quickly and efficiently, ensuring the safety of the senior.

Some GPS tracking devices include health monitoring features such as heart rate sensors and fall detection. These added functionalities provide a comprehensive solution for monitoring both the location and health of elderly individuals, offering an extra layer of security and care.

Geofencing is another valuable feature of many GPS trackers. This allows caregivers to set safe zones and receive alerts if the senior leaves these designated areas. This feature is particularly useful for seniors with conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's, who may be prone to wandering.

In What Instances Are GPS Trackers Helpful for Seniors?

Medical experts have suggested attaching a wearable Tracki GPS tracking device to seniors for real-time monitoring. Some models can be used 24/7 anywhere in the world and are built for emergencies such as fire accidents, assault, or in the event of slips and falls. Monitoring the location of your elderly loved ones with the help of a Tracki GPS tracker allows you to keep an eye on them on a full-time basis.

The privilege to drive is something that you cannot just take away from your parents. After all, it helps keep their minds active and encourages independence. Many older adults even take it as an insult when their driving privileges are revoked. Instead of telling them they’re not allowed to drive alone anymore, install a Tracki GPS tracker on their vehicle as an extra safety precaution in case they encounter problems on the road, road accidents, crimes, or get lost. Using the Tracki device along with its web-based GPS tracking software, you will be able to monitor the elderly’s location at all times. The device can even provide essential information on speeding, sudden brakes, acceleration, and impact. You can also assure them that they can press the SOS button in case an emergency arises. This immediately alerts the authorities and important contacts about their location, ensuring quick assistance and safety at the same time.

Being able to walk around the neighbourhood independently is something we all take pleasure in. However, this is not a safe activity for aging individuals as they could easily be a victim of a crime. Wearing portable GPS tracking devices such as Tracki allows senior citizens to do their routine walks without fear, knowing that they can ask for help in case of an emergency through the GPS device’s SOS button. Tracki personal GPS trackers are tiny devices, very easy to use, and can be easily carried. They can be worn by your elderly loved ones as a bracelet, watch, belt, or key chain.

Dementia is a progressive disease caused by the human brain’s natural decline as we continue to grow older. The elderly may soon find themselves unable to function as well as they did before, which may lead to frustration and a feeling of loss for both the individual and their family. Perhaps the biggest challenge to overcome is the elderly person’s disoriented state of mind, which may result in dangerous activities such as wandering off on their own. Here are some symptoms of memory-related disorders:

• Misplacing many items very often, like forgetting where they have put the car keys or where the car is parked.
• Recounting the same story over and over again to almost anyone who will listen.
• Having problems with perception, remembering times, etc.
• Failing to follow directions.
• Getting lost or disoriented even in a familiar neighbourhood.
• Forgetting common words.

This is where Tracki GPS Tracker comes in for elderly safety. Tracki GPS Tracker reduces these problems greatly through smart alerts sent to family members the moment the wearer of the device leaves a specified safe area.

Conclusion

Ensuring the safety of elderly loved ones is crucial. Traditional monitoring methods often fall short, but GPS trackers offer a reliable solution. Tracki GPS Trackers provide real-time location tracking, emergency SOS features, geofencing, and health monitoring, enhancing the security and independence of seniors.

These devices help prevent wandering, ensure driving safety, and offer peace of mind to families. By integrating Tracki GPS Trackers into senior care, families can ensure a higher level of safety and a better quality of life for their elderly loved ones.

FAQs: 

Q1: What are the primary benefits of using GPS trackers for elderly safety? 

A: GPS trackers provide real-time location tracking, emergency SOS features, geofencing capabilities, health monitoring, and increased independence for seniors. They offer peace of mind to families and caregivers by ensuring seniors are safe and secure.

Q2: How do GPS trackers enhance the safety and security of seniors? 

A: GPS trackers help prevent seniors from wandering and getting lost by providing real-time location tracking. Emergency SOS features allow seniors to call for immediate assistance, ensuring help is always within reach.

Q3: What types of GPS trackers are available for elderly individuals? 

A: There are several types of GPS trackers available, including wearable trackers (wristbands, necklaces, pendants), portable trackers (handheld devices), smartphone apps, and medical alert systems with GPS.

Q4: How does geofencing work with GPS trackers? 

A: Geofencing allows caregivers to set virtual boundaries around specific areas. If the senior leaves these designated safe zones, the caregiver receives instant alerts, which is particularly useful for those prone to wandering.

Q5: Can GPS trackers help seniors who still drive? 

A: Yes, GPS trackers can be installed in a senior's vehicle to monitor driving habits and location. They provide information on speeding, sudden brakes, and impact, enhancing safety on the road. The SOS button can also alert authorities in case of emergencies.

Q6: How do GPS trackers support seniors' independence? 

A: GPS trackers allow seniors to move freely without constant supervision. Families and caregivers can monitor their location remotely, providing seniors with more freedom and a higher quality of life.

Q7: What health monitoring features do some GPS trackers include? 

A: Some GPS trackers include health monitoring features such as heart rate sensors and fall detection, offering a comprehensive solution for monitoring both the location and health of elderly individuals.

Q8: How do GPS trackers help in the case of medication management for seniors? 

A: While GPS trackers primarily focus on location and emergency features, some advanced models may offer medication reminders and monitoring to ensure seniors take the right dosage on time, reducing the risk of overdose.

Q9: Are GPS trackers easy for seniors to use? 

A: Yes, most GPS trackers are designed to be user-friendly and can be worn as a bracelet, watch, belt, or keychain, making them convenient for seniors to carry and use.

Q10: How do GPS trackers provide peace of mind to families and caregivers? 

A: GPS trackers offer real-time monitoring and instant alerts in case of emergencies, ensuring families and caregivers always know the whereabouts and safety status of their elderly loved ones, reducing anxiety and stress.

Q11: Can GPS trackers be used for seniors with dementia? 

A: Yes, GPS trackers are particularly useful for seniors with dementia. They help monitor location, provide emergency alerts, and offer geofencing capabilities to prevent wandering and ensure safety.

Q12: What should families consider when choosing a GPS tracker for elderly loved ones? 

A: Families should consider factors such as ease of use, battery life, emergency features, health monitoring capabilities, and the specific needs of their elderly loved ones when choosing a GPS tracker.