GPS and dementia trackers: choosing one safely for pendant users

Pendant fit, wear, and response

A pendant alarm is a familiar format, but fit and routine decide whether it is worn. Check the cord or clip, the weight, the charging method, and whether the wearer can use it without help.

A pendant tracker can be taken off or left charging. Pair it with a routine and a named person who checks alerts, rather than relying on the device alone.

Test the pendant in the rooms and outdoor spaces the wearer uses. Confirm the response plan with the monitoring centre or nominated contacts, and review the choice if the wearer's mobility or memory changes.

• Try the pendant with the clothes the wearer normally uses.
• Check the cord, clip, or breakaway fitting for comfort and safety.
• Confirm the charging routine and low-battery warning.
• Ask whether the pendant is waterproof.
• Test the button and the response from outside the home.

A tracker is not a personal alarm

A GPS tracker reports a location. A personal alarm lets the wearer call a monitoring centre or family contact. Some devices combine both, but the functions solve different problems. A tracker can help you find someone who has walked away from home; an alarm can help someone who has fallen and cannot get up.

If the main concern is getting help after an emergency, start with a personal alarm. If the main concern is finding someone who may become disoriented, a tracker may be appropriate. Many families need a plan that includes both, plus a search procedure for the people involved.

Pendant position matters for comfort and for the button. Check where the device sits against the chest, whether the cord length can be adjusted, and whether the wearer can reach the alert without pulling at the cord.

Consent, capacity, and dignity

Tracking a person without their knowledge can damage trust and may be inappropriate. Where someone has capacity, explain what the device does, who can see the location, and when it will be used. If memory or decision-making is changing, involve a clinician or care professional and follow local safeguarding guidance.

A tracker should be presented as a shared safety tool, not a surveillance device. Agree in advance who may check the location, how often, and what they should do with the information. Put the agreement in writing if several family members are involved.

If a lanyard feels awkward, compare a wrist alarm or a belt clip before giving up on the idea. The best format is the one the person will keep on, even if it is not the one the family expected to choose.

Battery life and coverage

A tracker is only useful while it has power and a signal. Check the realistic battery life with location updates enabled, not just the standby figure. Ask how long it takes to charge, whether the wearer can manage the charger, and what alert is sent when the battery is low.

Mobile coverage varies by network and by location. A tracker that works in a city centre may struggle in a rural area or inside a large building. Ask the provider which network the device uses and test it in the places the person visits.

Button access should be tested with the person who will use it. Ask them to press it while standing, sitting, and lying down. If the button is hard to find or requires two hands, the device is not a good fit.

• Check the battery life with live tracking switched on.
• Confirm the network and coverage at home and on regular routes.
• Ask whether the device sends a low-battery alert.
• Check whether location history is available and who can see it.

Geofences and alerts

Many trackers can send an alert when the wearer leaves a defined area, sometimes called a geofence. This can be useful for a person who walks to a regular shop or day centre, but it can also create false alerts if the boundary is too tight or the location is inaccurate.

Set the boundary with the person and test it before relying on it. Decide who receives the alert, what they should do first, and when to call the police or a local missing-person service. A geofence is a prompt to check, not a guarantee that someone is safe.

A pendant routine works best when it is tied to something that already happens every day. Charging while reading, watching television, or getting ready in the morning is easier to remember than an arbitrary reminder.

Questions to ask before buying

Ask whether the device is a tracker, an alarm, or both. Confirm the total monthly cost, the contract length, and what happens if the device is lost or damaged. Check the returns policy and whether the location data can be exported or deleted.

Ask how the provider handles a missing person situation. Do they contact emergency services, or does the family do that? What support do they offer if the tracker fails? A clear answer is more important than a long feature list.

• Does the device support two-way calling or only location tracking?
• Is the tracker waterproof and comfortable enough to wear every day?
• Who owns the location data, and how long is it retained?
• What happens if the wearer enters an area with no signal?
• Is there a plan for who searches and who calls emergency services?

Questions people ask

Sources and further reading

These sources were used to check the general guidance in this guide. They do not imply endorsement of any product.

• Alzheimer's Society — Technology and dementia
• NHS — Dementia
• Age UK — Dementia