Researchers in Alberta are trying to determine whether GPS technology can help people with early stage dementia stay safe and live independently longer.
The Locator Device Project is a six-month trial being conducted out of the University of Alberta.
With partial funding from the provincial government, researchers are testing out GPS technology to locate wandering or lost people who have cognitive impairments.
Tim Warman joined the study after his wife Allison, who suffers from early stage dementia, had a scare.
鈥淚 was going to the library or something 鈥� and I got totally turned around and I really didn鈥檛 know where I was,鈥� Allison said in an interview with CTV News. 鈥淎nd that wasn鈥檛 fun.鈥�
Allison, 53, is now able to walk more than a kilometre each day on her own, thanks to a GPS tracker that she wears when she鈥檚 out and about.
鈥淭his is giving both her the freedom to do what she loves 鈥� to go where she wants, and gives us peace of mind, 鈥淭im said.
When Allison goes beyond range, Tim receives an alert in the form of a text message.
鈥淚t tells me what direction she鈥檚 going and what speed,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hen it does a map of the neighbourhood with a pinpoint exactly where she is.鈥�
Each year, dozens of patients across Canada suffering from Alzheimer鈥檚 and dementia go missing. For some, it can lead to death if they鈥檙e not located soon enough.
In an effort to prevent such tragedies, some dementia sufferers are institutionalized.
Trial researchers are hoping the GPS technology will help keep the growing number of dementia patients safe in their own homes, and thus prolong independent living.
Some of the devices being tested include a watch with two-way communication and a shoe insole with GPS that will give a patient鈥檚 exact location.
Researcher Lili Liu says three out of five dementia sufferers will experience some form of wandering.
鈥淲e need to allow them the freedom to walk 鈥� but to do it with as little risk as possible,鈥� Liu told CTV News.
Of the 40 families in the study so far, three-quarters say the technology works.
Tim said it鈥檚 been beneficial to both him and Allison.
鈥淓ven though I鈥檓 at work, I am actually with her,鈥� Tim said. 鈥淎nd it gives her a lot of confidence and comfort.鈥�
With a report by CTV medical specialist Avis Favaro and producer Elizabeth St. Philip
