SAN ANTONIO -- The same technology used for guiding military operations and giving directions is now helping people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones.
The Alzheimer's Association has developed a new program based on the Global Positioning System or GPS. It is a tracking device that is similar to a cell phone and can be worn on a belt or placed in a pocket or a purse. It will pinpoint someone's exact location.
The device is also linked to a pre-programmed "comfort zone" that could be the GPS coordinates for your house, the boundaries of your neighborhood, or whatever you decide. If the person wearing the device leaves the "comfort zone," the system alerts that person's caregiver by e-mail or text message.
The Alzheimer's Association says the program could be helpful for families since statistics show that 60% of people with Alzheimer's wander away from home or other locations.
To learn more about the program,
CLICK HERE to go to the "Comfort Zone" Web site.
