Eight out of 10 back use of GPS tracking devices for people with dementia

More than eight-out-of-10 people in Britain back the use of GPS tracking devices for people living with dementia, with support for the devices rising even higher among friends and relatives of those with the disease.

The survey by Bupa, found 81 per cent of people backed GPS tracking devices and 84 per cent of friends and relatives of those with dementia, are in favour of it.

Younger people (those aged 18-24) are even more in favour, with almost nine-out-of-10 (87 per cent) saying they support the use of GPS technology to safeguard the independence of people living with dementia.

Police are called out on a regular basis to search for dementia patients who have gone missing and this is costly for police and also extremely worrying for the patients’ family and friends. This problem looks set to grow as the number of people with dementia in the UK increases.

However the use of GPS tagging devices has been criticised by some as treating people with dementia like criminals.

Consequently Andrew Cannon, managing director of Bupa Care Services, believes it is important “to understand people’s views on these devices, as many families and even local council adult care teams are discussing their use with us”.

He said: “Everyone wants people living with dementia to retain their independence for as long as possible – and for many people that means unaccompanied trips to shops, cinema, and even the local pub. But we all need to balance that with ensuring their safety.

GPS tracking devices can help people with dementia 'live well'

“GPS devices are becoming an everyday part of people’s lives: on our phones, in our cars, and on our wrists when we exercise. While these technologies are no substitute for face-to-face contact and good care, they could be a vital tool in helping people with dementia to not just live, but to live well.”

Some police services and a number of local authorities are investing in GPS tagging devices for dementia patients that can be worn around their neck, clipped to a belt or put on a set of house keys.

It works through a Global Positioning System (GPS) – a space-based satellite navigation system that is used by 'sat-navs' in vehicles. It is also linked to a 24/7 response service which the wearer can call at a press of a button. Family and friends can log into the system whenever they like to find out where the person is.

Criticised as 'inhumane'

However the National Pensioners Convention has been highly critical in the past, calling the practice of using GPS tracking devices “inhumane” and saying: “It smacks of criminality” and puts them “on a par with common offenders or people with Asbos. We should not be looking at dementia sufferers in that way.”

“There has got to be a more humane way of coping with somebody’s mental state, and, if it has got to that extreme level, it does beg the question: are there not proper facilities to care for people when they have severe cases of dementia?”

The research by Bupa showed that while slightly more women (60 per cent) than men (50 per cent) know someone living with dementia, both sexes equally support use of GPS devices.

Using technology to improve support for people living with dementia is one of the issues being discussed at the 30th International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International, which is sponsored by Bupa.

Bupa report

A new dementia vision report being published by Bupa to coincide with the ADI conference in Perth, Australia, calls for a ‘Community Wrap-Around’ to tackle dementia, which would see schools, employers, care providers and other organisations acting together to create dementia-friendly communities.

The report, called A Vision For A Dementia Friendly Society, says important changes are needed now to prevent a bleak future where older people at risk of dementia and their families may be severely challenged by unfriendly and confusing environments.

It sets out steps to improve the lives of people at risk of, or living with dementia in the community including using technology - to educate people about dementia and how they can monitor and reduce their own risk, such as through apps and wearable devices and establishing the right health and care pathways to ensure individuals and their families are supported from diagnosis until final stages.