GPS watch improves safety for seniors with dementia

RED DEER, Alta. – Canadian owned company SafeTracks GPS Canada Inc. announced it will be offering a GPS wearable device to provide a long-term care alternative for patients living with dementia and seniors who are at high risk of falls and wandering.

SafeTracks has allocated a pool of TRiLOC GPS Emergency Communication Devices for clients within Alberta Health Services. The TRiLOC watch, an advanced GPS wearable, is now available to Albertans through a leasing program offered through Alberta Health Services programs.

The water resistant alert device does not have to be tethered to a smartphone, unlike some other mobile location devices. Caregivers can receive texts or emails based on multiple geofence parameters (when the user has left or entered defined areas) as well as immediate notifications in the event of the SOS button being pressed. The two-way voice feature ensures that caregivers can communicate with the user through the watch.

SafeTracks expects this opportunity will provide significant value in the enhancement of life, improving both seniors’ and caregivers’ confidence. The TRiLOC will provide clients and caregivers greater independence, peace of mind and imperatively, security.

Vince Morelli, president of SafeTracks, said, “SafeTracks is honored to participate in the Leasing Program to provide a Lifestyle Management Solution for at-risk seniors. With this technology, seniors can stay in their homes longer, live safely in their communities, all the while enjoying a higher quality of life and their independence.”

In 2015, SafeTracks was involved in a study regarding Usability of Locator Technology Among Home Care Clients at risk for Wandering. The study was completed by the University of Alberta in collaboration with Alberta Health Services.

It was recommended that when GPS devices are implemented at the early stages of dementia, it leads to a better quality of life increasing daily routines and independence. As the disease may progress, it gives caregivers and family members the peace of mind knowing their loved ones are secure.

Here’s a scenario: Dad has a mild form of dementia and still lives at home with mom. Mom is the primary caregiver, but is still able to leave dad at home while she runs errands and goes to the grocery store. One day, Mom comes home to find the front door open and Dad is nowhere to be found. Panic ensues and emergency services are called.

Situations like this are all too common in communities across Canada and the U.S. Often times, a loved one who has wandered away from home is found by neighbors, concerned citizens, search parties or emergency personnel. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of instances where the person who wanders from home is met with unforgiving weather or unfamiliar surroundings and is not found until days later when it is too late.

SafeTracks has an interesting approach to keeping tabs on people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Autism or other serious medical conditions accompanied by cognitive impairments. SafeTracks offers the TRiLOC GPS locator watch that can be securely fastened to the wrist. In addition to offering the basic telling-time functions of a watch, the TRiLOC has the following features:

• Help (SOS) button
• Fall Detection
• 2-way cellular voice
• Geo-fence zones
• Automatic GPS location updates
• Tampering notifications (if the watch is removed)
• Breadcrumb tracking (to see where the user has been)
• Smartphone app available in iOS and Android versions for caregivers
• SafeTracks TRiLOC safety watch locking band prevents removal of the safety device.

The battery life of the TRiLOC is 60 hours on standby, but with average use daily charging is recommended. Cellular coverage is required for the TRiLOC to work. SafeTracks GPS is partnered with and uses Rogers in Canada and AT&T in the U.S.

Connected family and caregiver’s tablet and smartphones can use any cellular network; this does not have an effect on the usability of the TRiLOC. The watch is on the larger side, if you have small wrists, this current version may not work for you. SafeTracks is planning to release an updated smaller version with color choices later in 2017.

In the home, SafeTracks also offers the BlueBeacon ($69.95) as a supplemental location device when a GPS signal is weak or not available. The BlueBeacon connects via Bluetooth to the TRiLOC. In the home, caregivers can monitor specific areas indoors and be notified immediately if compatible door magnet sensors are triggered. This could be extremely useful for night time notification if a user is getting up undetected by a spouse or caregiver.

There are two options for paying for the TRiLOC, leasing and purchasing.

Leasing Option: The Canadian leasing cost is $69.95/ month, U.S. is $59.95/ month. The lease includes: the TRiLOC, the monthly service fee, unlimited data, text, SMS as well as 15 minutes of Emergency voice calls ($0.75 per minute overage charge applies when over the 15 min./month allotment of voice data.) There is a 6-month minimum lease term agreement. Upon cancellation of the lease, the TRiLOC is sent back to SafeTracks.

Purchase Option: The price of the TRiLOC is the same for Canadian and U.S. customers; the device retails for $399.95. The monthly service fees are different at $49.95 in Canada and $39.95 in the U.S. There is a 30-day cancellation policy for the monthly service fee.

About SafeTracks GPS

SafeTracks is a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of advanced GPS Emergency Communication Devices. SafeTracks maintains the highest standard of certification, only offering top-of-the-line wearables that are safe for individual use. SafeTracks GPS Emergency Communication Devices are used to monitor at-risk individuals including Independent Seniors, those living with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other Cognitive Disorders, Young Adults, those suffering from PTSD and Lone Workers. For more information, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z588My3FRds&feature=youtu.be.