�Aging & Health

GPS Technology and Alzheimer's Disease: Novel Use for an Existing Technology

Experts predict the number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer�s disease, a disorder that robs victims of their memory, cognitive abilities, and personality, will triple in the next fifty years. As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer�s may lose track of time and become increasingly disoriented. As a result, for many Alzheimer�s sufferers (and those who take care of them) wandering is a huge problem. Safe Return, a national, government-funded identification program, helps locate lost Alzheimer�s patients in a safe and timely manner. Also coming onto the scene are new tracking systems using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology that may help keep track of Alzheimer�s disease sufferers.

Wandering: A Major Problem in People with Alzheimer�s

Wandering is a potentially life-threatening and frighteningly common behavior seen in Alzheimer�s patients. Between 60% to 70% of all patients with Alzheimer�s will wander, and possibly get lost, at some point during the course of their disease, of these a staggering 50% will die if they are not found within 24 hours.

Memory loss, sleep disturbance, and erosion of language seem to contribute to wandering. Other causes include restlessness, stress, and medication side effects.

What Can Be Done for Wanderers?

In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice partnered with the National Alzheimer�s Association to create Safe Return, an identification program that unites Alzheimer�s disease wanderers with their loved ones. For a fee, families can register a patient with Alzheimer�s. The patient�s name, photo, identifying characteristics, and emergency contacts are placed in a database. The patients wear an accessory�a pin, necklace, or bracelet�indicating that they are memory impaired. Then, if the patient is found wandering, a call can be placed to the 24-hour toll-free hotline listed on the Safe Return accessory. Local law enforcement agencies can then use this information to return the wanderers to their homes.

Another option available to keep a watchful eye on wandering Alzheimer�s patients is to use personal locator devices that integrate GPS technology with mapping programs and digital wireless gadgets. Still in the early phases of use, such devices receive signals from satellites to tell users where on earth they are.

What is GPS and How Does it Work?

GPS, formally known as the Navstar Global Positioning System, was initiated in 1973 by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for navigation purposes. GPS continues to be operated and maintained by the DOD today, but receivers can be used by civilians and are being built into a variety of products. For example, OnStar uses GPS technology to help lost drivers figure out how to get where they need to go.

Through a network of 24 orbiting satellites, GPS units on the ground receive radio signals and compute the altitude, longitude, and latitude of somebody to within one-tenth of a mile. In the last few years, GPS receivers have become cheaper, smaller, and more accurate (making them more enticing to use and easier to come by).

How Can GPS Help Those with Alzheimer�s Disease?

Personal locator devices using GPS technology can be used to pinpoint the location of lost Alzheimer�s patients. For example, Applied Digital Solutions sells a device called the Digital Angel, which is worn as a watch, plus has a separate clip-on pager. Using GPS mapping software and cell phone networks, the Digital Angel alerts caretakers by e-mail (sent to a cell phone, personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or text pager) when an Alzheimer�s patient has wandered out of a pre-designated area. Two other companies selling similar devices are SIDSA, based in Spain, and Secom, based in Japan.

Researchers at the University of Washington are working on a hand held device called the Activity Compass. If the Activity Compass detects that an Alzheimer�s patient might be lost, it will actually prompt him or her to head home (pointing in the right direction), before sounding the alarm. However, the Activity compass will not be available to consumers for another two to three years, notes Dr. Henry Kautz, Principal Investigator of the project.

The advantages of using a GPS locator device over more traditional personal alert systems is that the user doesn�t have to activate it and the technology works over a larger geographic area. The main disadvantage is cost.

The Bottom Line

Wandering is a serious problem for Alzheimer�s patients and their caretakers. There are a few simple measures that caretakers can follow, however, to help prevent wandering:

Conceal or camouflage doors.
Install locks, alarm systems, and wandering monitoring devices.
Label doors to explain the purpose of each room and to discourage exit/entry. Use warning signs or symbols that say "Do Not Enter" or "No!"
Try to identify when the patient is likely to wander and distract him or her with another activity at that time.
Encourage activity that will relieve the patient�s anxiety.
Reassure the patient that he or she is in the right place.

If you are a caretaker for an Alzheimer�s patient, registering him or her in the Safe Return program may be a great option for your peace of mind. But if you�d feel better being able to find exactly where your lost loved one is very quickly (and can spend the money to do so), you might want to consider purchasing a personal locator device that uses GPS technology.

One important word of caution. Using GPS devices to track your loved ones is considered to be somewhat controversial. Be sure to talk with your loved one, his or her doctor, and other members of your family before making this decision.

RESOURCES:

Alzheimer�s Disease Education and Referral Center
http://www.alzheimers.org

Federal Aviation Administration: Satellite Navigation
http://gps.faa.gov

National Alzheimer�s Association
http://www.alz.org

University of Washington: Assisted Cognition
http://www.cs.washington.edu/assistcog

SOURCES:

Alzheimer�s Disease Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/alzheimersdisease_doc.htm
Accessed June 17, 2003.

Managing Problem Behaviors in Long-Term Care Facilities. Alzheimer�s Disease Education and Referral Center. Available at: http://www.alzheimers.org/pubs/conv09n3.html.
Accessed June 17, 2003.

Safe Return Program Highlights the Dangers of Alzheimer's Disease and Wandering. AlzheimerSupport.com.
Available at: http://www.alzheimersupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/1903/searchtext/wandering. Accessed June 17, 2003.

Last reviewed July 2003 by Andrew Wilner, MD

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