Protestors Demonstrate Against Electronic Tracking of Alzheimer’s Patients
When I wrote, Should Alzheimer’s Patients Be Electronically Tagged? concerning a proposal in England and put up the poll about this topic, I wondered if there would be feed back from families and the general public…both pro and con?
It appears some people definitely consider electronically tracking of Alzheimer’s patients, even for their own safety, to be an invasion of privacy. A note in the Alzheimer’s Daily News referred to a Boca Raton News (BocaNews.com) article, Demonstrators protest plan to ‘microchip’ Alzheimer’s patients.
“The plan of a West Palm Beach Alzheimer’s care center to place microchips into patients has drawn ciritcism from a group that places a high regard on privacy,” according to the article by Dale M. King.
The group was led by Dr. Katherine Albrecht, traveling from her New Hampshire home to South Florida. She has a web site listing objections to the chip and electronic tracking.
(Dr. Albrecht has written about her findings concerning electronic tracking whether on products or people.)
On the other side of the argument, Mary Barnes, the CEO of Alzheimer’s Community Care, explained, “It’s a matter of patient safety and not a personal intrusion.”
It appears that electonic tracking, whether with the use of a microchip or a bracelet or similar device, will be a matter for Alzheimer’s patients and their families to learn more about.
If you’d like to express your thoughts, leave a comment below or vote on the poll to the right.
Tags: Alzheimers, Alzheimers+Disease, Alzheimers+information, Caregiving, electronic+tracking, microchip, SafetyRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Blogs, General, Legal Matters, News
2 opinions for Protestors Demonstrate Against Electronic Tracking of Alzheimer’s Patients
Magster
Jun 11, 2007 at 11:28 pm
I have absolutely been considering getting a tracking device from my veterinarian and having it implanted in my husband’s back by a dermotologist. He has late stage Alz and is getting lost more often. I am his medical POA. I think we caregivers have the right to use such tactics to keep our loved ones from harming themselves or others.
Mary Emma Allen
Jun 12, 2007 at 9:05 am
Thanks for visiting, Magster, and taking time to express your views and share your experience. Yes, it’s very frustrating and causes much worry when our Alzheimer’s family member keeps wandering. Both Auntie and Mother would escape from us, even when we thought we were being very diligent. I wonder if those who protest strongly have ever had the day to day experience of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. I agree, the tracking could be used wrongly, which, I think, is what concerns many. However, could it also save lives, too.
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