Home / Health / Dementia Tech: Scannable Devices Aid Missing Person Searches
Dementia Tech: Scannable Devices Aid Missing Person Searches
29 May
Summary
- Wearable wristbands and tags use contactless tech for dementia safegaurding.
- Smartphones scan devices to provide info and alert authorities.
- Bluetooth and GPS tiles help police locate missing individuals quickly.
A groundbreaking trial in Plymouth is testing innovative wearable devices to assist in finding individuals with dementia who may go missing. This initiative, affecting over 40,000 people annually across the UK, involves wristbands and tags equipped with contactless technology, similar to mobile payment systems.
Members of the public can scan these devices with their smartphones to access crucial information, facilitating reconnection with loved ones or alerting emergency services. Complementing these are trackable tiles utilizing Bluetooth and GPS, designed to help authorities pinpoint individuals in real time.
The project, developed in collaboration with Plymouth-based charity Memory Matters, aims to bolster independence for those with dementia. "We want people to be able to go out and enjoy their lives and do as much as they can for as long as they can," stated Kate Smith, CEO of Memory Matters.
Only essential details, such as a name and next-of-kin contact number, are stored on the devices. The technology ensures that only the device's administrator needs a specific app, making information accessible and secure. The bright colors of the tracking tiles are also designed to encourage the public to approach and assist if they see someone struggling.
