Accessories
Watchie GPS Locator Helps Keep Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients Safe
Every week I’m guaranteed to see a Gray Alert on my Twitter feed or a flyer in my neighborhood here in New York concerning an elderly person who’s gone missing. Usually it’s a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia who accidentally wandered from home and didn’t come back.
Every week I’m guaranteed to see a Gray Alert on my Twitter feed or a flyer in my neighborhood here in New York concerning an elderly person who’s gone missing. Usually it’s a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia who accidentally wandered from home and didn’t come back.
Taking care of someone with either of these conditions is difficult, especially when you’re trying to balance their desire for dignity with your need to keep them safe. A new device called Watchie seeks to help with this issue and offers caregivers some peace of mind.
Watchie looks and is worn just like a watch and includes GPS technology and a SIM card for accurate tracking both indoors and out. Caregivers can set up specific safe zones and get alerts when the wearer leaves those zones or the wearer can press a panic button if they find themselves lost with no idea how to get home.
Caregivers can see where the Watchie is via a website or an app for their iPhone or iPad. There doesn’t appear to be an Android version yet.
The built-in accelerometer can also alert caregivers to sudden falls just in case the wearer isn’t able to press the panic button.
Despite the constant connection to cell towers and GPS satellites, the company behind Watchie claims that the device can go several days or weeks without needing a charge.
Watchie works in over 140 countries and is set to launch soon.
via ChipChick
Joe Kadlec
03/29/2012 at 5:54 am
I’m looking for a device that I can attach to my Autistic child that will allow me to see where he is at at any given time. The child will not let me simply hang something around his neck or put on his wrist without him removing it. It needs to be something that can be secured on him or attached. He is a “runner” and in the summer months he usually only wears a t shirt, shorts and sandals. It would be difficult (impossible/ineffective) to attach a device to any of his clothing items. Any ideas? [email protected]
daniel
07/14/2012 at 1:17 pm
Hi Joe, therw are a pair of gps wriatwatches for children out there. search for Pikavu express locator, or num8u
valerie harvey
08/13/2012 at 4:52 am
Is this watch available yet? I need a device like this for my dad (who has dementia). Is there any where I can contact to buy same?