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GPS Shoes to Track Alzheimer's Patients

Shoe-maker and tech firm team up

By Amelia Atlas,  Newser User

Posted Jun 7, 2009 4:38 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Two companies are developing GPS-trackable footwear to essentially LoJack Alzheimer's patients, AFP reports. The shoes will spot their location within 30 feet "anywhere on the planet," said a consultant. Sixty percent of Alzheimer's sufferers wander off at least once during the disease, he said, but most retain enough memory to put on their shoes in the morning.

Two companies are teaming up to make 'GPS shoes' for Alzheimer's patients.
Two companies are teaming up to make 'GPS shoes' for Alzheimer's patients.   (Shutter Stock)
These tiny GPS modules are the smallest, most integrated device for location-based functions. A company making miniature GPS technology plans to embed them in shoes to help find Alzheimer's patients.
These tiny GPS modules are the smallest, most integrated device for location-based functions. A company making miniature GPS technology plans to embed them in shoes to help find Alzheimer's patients.   (Photo: Business Wire)
An Alzheimer's sufferer sits on a park bench.
An Alzheimer's sufferer sits on a park bench.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
paul123
Jun 8, 2009 12:03 PM CDT
Not everyone with alzheimer's is a patient somewhere. My aunt has it and she's cared for at home by my uncle. That said, the bigger worry is what to do if they take their shoes off.
armywife
Jun 8, 2009 7:27 AM CDT
my grandfather had alzheimer's back in the 70s - my mom and her 3 sisters took turns babysitting him during the day, while my grandmother worked a full-time job. my sister and i, and my cousin, were all toddlers and my PawPaw used to regularly wander off while my mom was putting us down for naps. then she'd have to wake us up and call friends and family and we'd all go on "pawpaw hunts". luckily, we did always find him, but i can tell you that for the many people who care for a loved one with alzheimer's at home, this gps shoe idea sounds pretty good.
Timinator2K
Jun 7, 2009 11:41 AM CDT
"Amber Alerts are now part of the fear mongering landscape." UNTIL ITS YOUR KID...your compassion is touching...your idiocy isn't.

 
dementia • GPS • tracking chip • Alzheimer's Disease

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