Using Tracking Devices To Keep Your Elderly Loved Ones Safe

A GPS tracking device keeps an elderly loved one safer by showing where they are on a map, alerting you when they leave a geofenced safe zone, and letting them call for help with an SOS button, all without a carer having to watch them every hour of the day.

It is natural to want to know that the people you care about are safe and sound. That becomes harder when a loved one is living with dementia or Alzheimer's, because nobody can be present 24/7.

A GPS tracking device helps close that gap and keeps your loved ones safer.

What are tracking devices?

A tracking device can be used by anyone who needs it, whether that is an older person or a parent who needs to know where their child is. There are many different types of tracking devices available, but the main thing they have in common is the ability to report someone's location using GPS technology or other means.

That lets you keep tabs on where your loved ones are. There are also plenty of other uses for GPS tracking devices, such as keeping track of pets, or of valuable items you want to protect from theft.

Types of tracking device for the elderly

There are several kinds of tracking device that could help you keep tabs on an elderly loved one. Some of them include the following.

In-home sensors and trackers

These systems let you see movement around a home or apartment. They can be set up in different rooms so you know whether someone is up and about.

Home security systems

These tracking devices can be connected to a home security system, and can tell you when a door is opened or when someone leaves the house.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones can report location through their built-in sharing features or through apps. They only work while the phone is charged and carried, which is often the catch with older users.

Tack GPS location tracking device

Tack GPS is a multi-purpose location tracking device with a compact form factor and durable build.

With geofencing, Tack GPS lets you create multiple safe zones. You will receive alerts in the OurSphere app automatically when the tracker moves in and out of these zones.

Geofencing is commonly used to monitor the whereabouts of older people and children, and to catch it early if they wander away.

Benefits of tracking devices for the elderly

Helps in a dangerous situation

If a person falls, a tracker helps the family know where they are. Tracking devices can also help locate someone living with Alzheimer's who has wandered away from home and cannot recall the way back. The Tack GPS Plus Global adds fall detection and an Indoor Elevation Finder, which helps when someone is inside a multi-storey building.

Respects your elderly loved one's privacy

Many families worry about how an older relative will react to a GPS tracking device. Some assume their loved one will feel watched, but that is not usually how it plays out.

The device does not have to be monitored constantly, and it is worth talking it through with the person who will carry it. If you have concerns about how your loved one would feel, there are other ways of keeping them safe without making them uncomfortable.

What to consider when using a tracking device

Battery life of tracking device

It is important to know how long the battery of a GPS tracker lasts before it needs charging, because a device that is flat is a device that cannot help.

Using a rechargeable battery with smart sensors that optimise power consumption, Tack GPS has a long battery life that lasts up to 30 days.

Size of tracking device

Tracking devices come in different forms and sizes, from stickers to hard plastic tags to small, battery-operated sensors. Some are portable while others are permanent fixtures.

Weighing about 30 grams, Tack GPS is a portable, pocket-sized location tracking device that is easy to carry anywhere.

Quality of hardware and durability

Hardware quality matters a great deal with GPS tracker devices.

Be cautious before buying a GPS tracker and look for a well-built, weather-resistant and impact-resistant device.

Depending on how it will be used, the location tracking device needs to withstand rain, heat and everyday knocks.

With its ultrasonic welding and weatherproof design, Tack GPS is built to last.

Tack GPS device

Find your peace of mind with the Tack GPS multi-purpose location tracking device and its 30-day battery life. The Tack GPS Tracker is US$59.95 with roaming in 30+ countries, and the Tack GPS Plus Global is US$79.95 with roaming in 120+ countries plus fall detection. Subscriptions start from US$2.95/month on a two-year Standard plan.

Keep track of your elderly loved ones in any of the countries your Tack device roams in. Click here to buy now.