Clay Jepsen (BryantBoysen6)

GPS technology being used to locate lost dementia and Alzheimers patients with the use of its internal tracking functions. The British Medical Journal (BMH) released a study in June 2013 detailing the benefits of using GPS tracking technology to help medical personnel locate dementia patients who have gotten lost. While some specialists are debating the ethics of tracking patients location with the devices, most expert agree it would do more good than harm. The Statistics In the UK and U.S., quantity of of elderly persons with dementia carries on to climb. There are anticipated to be 200,000 adults develop dementia in Britain as next 8 years, which will bring the total to more than 1 million people. In the U.S., over 5 million people have and live with Alzheimers disease, and it is the sixth leading cause of death. In the UK, dementia costs approximately $35 billion a year, may increase as the actual boomer generation reaches their retirement time. Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia and counts for 80 percent of this cases. Patients who have dementia suffer extreme memory deficiencies, which ultimately results with them wandering and becoming lost. It takes a whole lot of time and money to locate the dementia patient, in order to mention mention the worry and stress this puts on their relatives. Experts are promoting the regarding placing a GPS tracker on their person so that medical staff or relatives can locate the patient fast and easy. The Debate The risk of the dementia patient becoming physically injured is increased when however missing for more information than 24 hours, which occurs in nearly half of the people today. There are also cases of dementia and Alzheimers patients as they are unable to keep up themselves when they start to wander off. Dr. Rupert McShane of Oxford University is one of many experts typically the field which supportive of utilizing GPS technology, due to such frightening studies. Dr. Desmond ONeill, a professor at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, is on the other side of discussion. GPS Tracking Aids Charity Funding argues that it further objectifies patients with this sensitive disease and leaves them even more powerless. Employee Fined $32 000 for Using a GPS Jammer believes it takes away using their personal freedoms as people at large and give a false sense of security to caregivers. Substantial concern truth over time caregivers rely the GPS trackers, therefore not paying close enough attention within their patients. There is also Experts Encourage the Use of GPS Tracking Devices on Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients that the GPS tracking device fails or eliminated by affected person. Aside obtainable concerns, however, the main consensus is supportive utilizing tracking devices for apparently of dementia and Alzheimers patients.If a dementia patient is wandering past a designated location, a caregiver, medical professional or their relative gets to be a text message to alert them goods has developed. It then gives them a map and location of the patient, so that they can get it well to well being. In the end, as it means more safety, security, and lives saved for patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimers, can the tracking devices outweigh drawbacks.