With Christmas a little more than a month away, you’re undoubtedly
busy handling a long to-do list and trying to find the perfect gifts for the
seniors in your life. But where do you start? Fitness and GPS trackers make
wonderful gifts for older adults, especially those with dementia. Sometimes,
seniors who have certain cognitive conditions like dementia can temporarily
feel confused, disoriented, or forget where they are. It’s common for them to
wander off in search of a familiar place, or a place from their memories, even
if it’s a memory from 30 years ago.
GPS trackers and fitness trackers are an excellent way to keep
older adults safe, prevent emergencies, and give their loved ones peace of
mind. With that said, the team at United Methodist Communities has put together
a list of some of the best tracking products on the market for seniors.
- Garmin
fitness smartwatches. While these can be used to track
certain fitness-related statistics like steps taken, sleep patterns and
heart rate data, Garmin smartwatches also provide location tracking and
enable communication via smartphones, making them ideal for seniors who
are prone to wandering. Caregivers can easily monitor the location of
those they’re looking after with the associated Garmin smartphone app. The
Garmin smartwatch is also lightweight, stylish and comfortable on the
wrist with many different color options available.
- Medical
Guardian’s Freedom Guardian alert watch. Developed
specifically for seniors, this device requires a monthly subscription and
has many useful features for older adults: text-to-speech messaging,
medication reminders, appointment reminders, GPS location tracking, and
emergency SOS.
- GPS
SmartSole shoe inserts. These shoe inserts are comfortable,
water-resistant and can easily be slipped into most footwear. They allow
caregivers to track the wearer’s location by receiving email or text
alerts via an app, and the battery life is around two to three days.
- AngelSense
GPS tracker. This tracker can fit seamlessly into a
shirt or pants pocket. Caregivers can then use a smartphone app to access
real-time data including GPS location, an “unknown place” alert, emergency
alerts for first responders, and two-way voice tools that let the
caregiver and the wearer communicate.
Keeping Seniors
safe at Bristol Glen
Of course as a full service senior community serving those with
dementia, UMC has even more sophisticated wander management and fall prevention
systems. UMC at Bristol Glen and all our communities, embrace technology as a
way to keep our seniors as healthy and safe as possible, and we’ve seen
firsthand the positive impact that technology can have on older adults. Don’t
believe the myth that seniors are reluctant to use technology. Our residents
prove that myth wrong every day.
For older adults with dementia, advances in technology, including
the fitness trackers and GPS trackers mentioned above, can enhance their
quality of life, keep them safe, and enable their caregivers to provide better
care. Fitness trackers and GPS trackers also allow seniors to retain their
independent lifestyles because their caregivers can monitor them remotely,
instead of needing to be physically present around the clock. Having an
immediate connection to emergency services while using these devices is also
very beneficial, because if the senior is alone and needs help, it’s critical
that no time is lost when alerting first responders.
For more information about United
Methodist Communities at Bristol Glen, or if you have any other questions
about technology support, please contact
UMC today. Discover why so many people in Sussex County, New Jersey choose
us as their trusted community for themselves or their loved ones.
Original content posted on https://umcommunities.org/blog/christmas-gift-ideas-4-fitness-and-gps-trackers-for-seniors/
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