GPS shoe can find wandering dementia patients


New GPS system inserted into dementia patients shoe to prevent wanderingThe Alzheimer's Association reports that approximately 5.4 million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease in the U.S., and as the baby boomer generation continues to age, this number is only expected to rise dramatically.

New devices and policies are imperative in taking care of these aging adults in order to ensure that they are safe as possible. According to the New York Times, Andrew Carle, a director of a senior housing program at George Mason University, gave GTX Corporation the idea of producing a shoe that had a built-in GPS system, which was something they were already developing for children and marathon runners.

"I pointed out why this was an ideal technology for people with dementia who wander," Carle told the news source. "Little kids can carry cellphones with GPS. We have far more seniors wandering off every day who don't call for help."

Those who are looking after a senior with this illness may want to invest in this device, as well as look into the possibility of assisted living facilities to ensure that the aging adult has access to care around-the-clock. 
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