Alzheimer’s affects more than 5 million Americans. It is a type of dementia that leads to memory, behavior, and thinking issues.

Its symptoms develop gradually over time and might aggravate to such an extent that the person is no longer able to properly complete even the simplest daily tasks.

This condition causes orientation issues, and patients start losing their skills to orient in time and space. This is the reason why they feel uncomfortable and insecure wherever they are, leading to anxiety.

In a state of confusion, our loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s can leave home, and eventually get lost.

A Japanese company is offering families a device that will help them in such cases, as it will notify them every time the person puts on the shoes and leaves home, and they will be able to track the senior down.

The innovation by the Wish Hills company, named “GPS Dokodemo Shoes”, uses the Global Positioning System (GPS), and might be of great help to families whose members suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s.

According to their website:

” The company which runs nursing homes experienced their inhabitants were getting lost for a short period of time. That was the reason for the company deciding to develop a special apparatus to prevent similar incidents.

The GPS terminal is implanted in the left heel of the “GPS Dokodemo (everywhere) Shoes,” and enables family members and caretakers to monitor the wearer by using smartphones or computers.”  

According to the Kyoto-based company’s spokesperson:

“We have experience in searching for lost dementia patients, and we know that they typically do not carry mobile phones or watches. However, they do wear shoes and this is key to us being able to help relatives to find their loved ones.”

After buying them, user details must be configured along with an operating system used as a control mechanism. To learn the location of the senior, the carer just has to enter the ID number of the device and a password.

Also, once the elderly person moves away 165ft (50 m), 328 ft (100m), or 1640 ft (500 m) outside of his house, the GPS device sends a notification to a smartphone of a close relative.

Next, with the help of a map on the phone or a computer, they will be easily located.

Unfortunately, the innovative shoes are now available only in Japan, where a pair is sold for about $300. According to the company, the product is especially popular among women in their fifties who have an elderly relative with dementia.

Sources:
healthylifeboxx.com
theprisma.co.uk
gbmc-blog.biz