gps trackers for eldery runners?

Non-Running

6 years ago 12/10/2017 10:48am EST

My father has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. As a lifetime runner, I worry about him getting lost on runs. Currently, the disease doesn't affect him too drastically. He still recognizes the people in his life just fine and can do his household chores. However, Alzheimer's being a rapidly progressing disease, this won't be the case for too much longer.

I want to make sure that he can enjoy his running as long as possible. When push comes to shove, I'll arrange for him getting special care. But for now, I'd like to know if there are tracking-devices available for elderly people and if there are any legal implications in using them.

I'd be grateful if someone would share his experience in dealing with this (or a similar) problem.

6 years ago 12/10/2017 4:23pm EST

re: goatboy

I can only tell you that there are indeed such things. My sister was looking into getting one for my mum but while she was looking my mum went to a state where she doesn't move on her own anymore so we never got one and I can't give you the specifics of what it is or where to get them. But your city of town will have some sort of senior center and they'd be able to tell you more.

6 years ago 12/10/2017 4:35pm EST

re: goatboy

I have one for my dog, wifi mode you can configure for 'home' mode (wifi networks it will try to join and if successful GPS is off), once wifi is lost GPS goes on which can last about 36 hrs

6 years ago 12/10/2017 7:40pm EST

re: Kevin hart 4:05:06

Apple Watch 3 with cellular plan.

6 years ago 12/10/2017 8:52pm EST

re: goatboy

My condolences about your father; mine has dementia of some kind too. Apple has a free app, I believe called "Find My iPod," that you can use to find all Apple devices. If he carries an iPod or iPhone on his runs, just register them using that app and you can always find where the devices are. If not, I'm sure there are products that do what you want and are probably smaller than iPhones - as long as you can get him to take them with him. One other point: you may want to think about his running in parallel with his driving; once he gets to the point where he shouldn't be driving, it may not be safe for him to run either, unless it's on trails nowhere near cars.

6 years ago 12/10/2017 9:02pm EST

re: Jobs steve

Jobs steve wrote:
Apple Watch 3 with cellular plan.

This, or if you can convince him to run with his smartphone, use the Find My Friends app

6 years ago 12/10/2017 10:28pm EST

re: goatboy

Off the top of my head I don’t have a better answer to your question than an Apple Watch, although that might be confusing for your father, but maybe I can make a suggestion? Could you help your Dad through some of his runs? It is always true, but Alzheimer’s drives it home that there’s no better time than the present.

I also wanted to say that due to occupational hazard I often imagine myself in your father’s position. Music is very helpful for people with Alzheimer’s, somehow it just connects well, and therapists use it to slow down the disease. But, for me, I hope someone takes the time to bring me to a track once a month or so. It’s safer than the trails.

If you are looking for something more targeted to people in your father’s position, maybe we can connect and I can do some research on a good option for you.

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