Police urge families to use GPS tracking to keep people with dementia safe

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is supporting World Alzheimer’s Day by reminding people to use GPS tracking systems - small battery powered devices which aim to keep those with dementia safe.

Over the past 12 months, the MPS has investigated over 1,700 missing person incident reports, concerning those aged 70 and over. The majority of these missing people were living with a form of dementia.

They also deal with over 10,000 incidents a year involving people with dementia.

Chief superintendent Steve Wallace said: “Missing person investigations are a significant demand on police time across the police service nationally. In particular, those missing or wandering with dementia or similar conditions are often at high risk.

“GPS trackers offer a ‘proactive prevention’ opportunity to safeguard potential missing persons, as well as a means of locating those who have gone missing. GPS units available on the market now use a combination of GPS (satellite) and GPRS (phone) signals to give an accurate location. The costs of these devices are coming down and their effectiveness is continually improving.”

Since June, around 1,500 police officers and staff have completed ‘Dementia Friends’ training and are already making a difference to people’s lives, whether that’s helping a victim of crime, supporting a missing person, helping a person to cross the road or speaking to a relative.

On a recent forum, an officer highlighted his own experiences with dementia, saying: “I lost my dad to dementia. With my dad there was a period where, as a family, we were probably in denial regarding the implications of his failing health and he caused us some moments of collective panic as we tried to find him when he went for a wander.”

The MPS is continuing to work with the Alzheimer’s Society and other organisations to highlight the advantages of using a GPS tracking system.

Where possible, it is advised to obtain consent from the person using the GPS tracker, especially during the early stages of their condition. This will allow them to understand how the technology works and grow accustomed to its presence.

Another officer wrote: “My dad doesn't get lost yet but I have bought a monitored GPS tracker with an emergency alert application. I can log onto their site from my phone and see where he is. I can see if he has a low step count meaning he may not be feeling well. They call me if he has activated the panic or falls alarm; he is quite comforted that there is always someone looking out for him and I can too.”

The MPS has pledged to become a dementia friendly organisation. To find out how you can become a Dementia Friend, visit: www.dementiafriends.org.uk