Controversy Continues Over Alzheimer’s Tracking Tags
Should you have electronic tags or chips to help track people with Alzheimer’s or dementia who wander away and have no idea, or very little, about how to return? This controversial issue continues to make headlines.
The ABC Online (Australian Broadcasting Corp) published an article this morning by Stephanie Kennedy, Controversy over dementia tracking tags with information concerning both sides of the issue, as well as growing support in Great Britain for this concept.
There is growing support in the UK for a controversial government proposal to use electronic tags to track people with dementia.
On one hand there are caregivers who have had family members wander away, some even resulting in fatalities. On the other, you have people who feel this is an invasion of personal or civil liberty.
*I know how easy it is for the patient to slip away…when you’re sleeping, when you’re occupied in an adjoining room, when you’re all busy in the yard. This happened with both Mother and Auntie, and I considered myself a caring, diligent caregiver.
*At the nursing home, Mother very craftily tried to slip away twice. Fortunately she was caught before she was out of sight of the place.
*Before I cared for Auntie, she stayed with a sister-in-law who finally relinquished responsibility because Auntie slipped away and disappeared down the sidewalk too often.
*In the above ABC article, we learn of Marilyn Lovejoy and her husband:
She says in the earlier stages she would have welcomed electronic tagging.
“He just used to leave the house and we didn’t have a clue where he was, and quite often he’d be gone for hours,” she said. “It would have stopped a lot of anxiety, us knowing where he was.”
Of course, there needs to be a balance between electronic devices used strictly for the unnecessary restriction of the patient and their use for the patient’s safety. The suggestion has been made that the use of electronic tracking devices be discussed before the Alzheimer’s victim is afflicted so badly he/she can’t express their desires rationally.
What has been your experience with family members or your patients wandering? What is your opinion of these tracking devices?
Additional posts about Alzheimer’s patients wandering:
Winter Weather Warnings for Alzheimer’s Wanderers
Columba Bracelet for wandering Alzheimer’s patients
(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen
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2 opinions for Controversy Continues Over Alzheimer’s Tracking Tags
Marijke
Jan 4, 2008 at 3:49 pm
THis is an interesting topic. I cared for many patients with Alzheimer’s when I worked on a medical unit and it is very, very difficult to keep track of those who wander.
One day, when I was driving to work, I saw one of our patients, in the cool fall weather, standing on a very busy city street in only her johnny jacket. I was torn - she knew me in her good moments, but if I was to stop my car and try and get her in - that could be really bad. So, I went on to the hospital and notified the security, who dealt with it.
We did try really hard to keep track of the patients, but on a busy floor, which really isn’t a place for a patient with Alzheimer’s, it wasn’t possible. thank goodness no harm came to her.
I believe that if this were to happen in my family, I would want a tracking device of some sort.
Mary Emma Allen
Jan 6, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I agree. When one has cared for Alzheimer’s patients either in a hospital, nursing home or their own home, they realize how quickly the patient can slip away from them. They have an uncanny instinct for knowing when your back is turned or you’re busy at another task.
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