Spec me a tracking device please

paradisiac · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:14

hi, long story short, my granddad recently got diagnosed with Alzheimer's and has a habit of getting confused when going for the morning paper and not coming home for an hour (its a 5min walk to the shop). Now my gran doesn't want to take his independence away, but obviously does get quite worried that he might get on a bus or something. So really, I would like some help finding something that is small, but easy to use.

I have found this but there isn't really any info on how you track the person other than via SMS and the Internet. has anyone got or used anything similar that can give some advice?

and no doubt, being GD, I will get the usual 'liar, you just want to stalk women' or something similar. unless this is the wrong section, if so, can a mod please move it

Tripnologist · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:28

I don't have any advice, but wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa. Alzheimer's is such a horrible illness.

I flew back to Canada last month to see my family and in the course of 3 weeks, my grandpa went from being fine to being in hospital care and not even remembering who I was half the time. So sad.

anything I don't mind · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:29

Try the online spy gear shops you might find one that uses gps.

paradisiac · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:33

Tripnologist said:
I don't have any advice, but wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear about your grandpa. Alzheimer's is such a horrible illness.

I flew back to Canada last month to see my family and in the course of 3 weeks, my grandpa went from being fine to being in hospital care and not even remembering who I was half the time. So sad.

yeh its horrible. he has always been really active and a great laugh. most of the time he is fine, but then he suddenly forgets who he is or what he is doing, or even worse, goes into a child like state.
thing is, when he is good he is really good, so we really want him to feel happy and confident doing stuff, knowing that if for any reason he gets lost or confused, he has a panic button and someone will know exactly where he is.

Cosimo · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:39

Something like this:

http://www.peopletracking.co.uk/products.php?category=alzheimers

Just do a google search for people tracking.

Siliconslave · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:42

An iPhone with find my device wouldn't be a bad option, or the android equiverlant...

AnastieByte · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:42

We use this system with a great deal of success. The local authority purchase and set it up and the user / family pay around £7 per month. You can set a geographical radius so if he usually finds his way back from the papershop you can extend the radius beyond there. Or narrow it down as close as the garden.

http://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/telecare/personal-locators-p/buddi-0103290-3020-information.htm

Delvis · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:42

What you need is one that just comes up on your phone (ie in google maps or something)

Will try and find one as ive seena few

labcoattech · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:43

£40 on the bay, uses a sim to send a sms with gps coordinates you can enter into google maps or turn by turn sat nav.

Only other thing that comes to mind is an iphone 3gs/4 and use the find my device feature.

Shimmyhill · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:44

Buddi is the one you want, speak to your local social services - around here they will also work with Police ti assist if the person goes missing.

Frenzy · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:46

If he has an android phone (which I guess he probably won't) you can install cerberus on it.

Delvis · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:46

Speaking of iphone stuff, there is this:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gps-phone-tracker-for-iphones/id460832645?mt=8

?

labcoattech · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:47

The Buddi system looks like it has been well thought out for what it is.

RomanNose · 14 Jun 2012 at 11:49

You can make your own, by just taking the serial data from a gps and modulating it as something like rtty. Could do it for < £30.

paradisiac · 14 Jun 2012 at 12:09

the mobile phone route is probably a bit too complicated for my gran and grandad to work out. something where they can have a webpage or program on the laptop that granny can see a map location of where grandad is would be the most preferred way.

the buddi system does look good and will pass the info on to dad to have a read. it does look very similar to the £35+ devices on ebay though.

LizardKing · 14 Jun 2012 at 12:20

Phones will be useless when there usually kept in a pocket with no gprs signal.

bsoltan · 14 Jun 2012 at 12:41

How will he remember to take it with him?

paradisiac · 14 Jun 2012 at 12:46

bsoltan said:
How will he remember to take it with him?

although this might of been meant as a joke, I will answer it anyway.

the answer is 2 fold, firstly, he wouldn't go out on his own if he was not in a sound state of mind, and secondly, my gran would remind him ALL the time, as she gets very worried about him, but does not want to follow him everywhere and make him feel like he needs a carer.