Evaluating an electronic monitoring system for people who wander

Abstract

Wandering away from home, or elopement, is a behavior that places persons with dementia at risk of serious injury and may lead family caregivers to place their loved ones in institutions or to severely restrict their independence. Funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) was used to evaluate the Mobile Locater, an electronic device designed to help caregivers quickly locate a person who has eloped. This 6-month pilot study included case studies of seven users and an opinion survey of family caregivers, professional caregivers and search and rescue workers. The survey results showed that respondents were positively impressed by the device, only identifying cost as a potential drawback. Case studies revealed that the equipment was easy to use, effective, and helpful to caregivers' peace of mind. These results suggest that the Mobile Locater is a valuable tool deserving of further study.