GPS shoes help Alzheimer's patients, caretakers

(CBS News) 

It's very common for people who have dementia to wander off on their own.

When that happens, frantic family members have to search for them, and call the police if they can't find them.

But there's now another option.

Technology -- in the form of shoes that have GPS tracking -- is beginning to revolutionize how caretakers keep tabs on their loved ones who sometimes wander.

Joann Johnston, whose husband, Bill Johnston, has Alzheimer's disease, said the shoes give her peace of mind. "When I lost him, you, you kind of panic," she said.

"I had been leaving him and going to the bank and say, 'OK, go in, drink your tea and wait for me, and I will come back.' And he would do that," Joann Johnston explained. "(But one time) I spent a little longer in the grocery store and got back maybe 45 minutes later, and I looked in McDonald's and he wasn't there. I opened the bathroom door and hollered 'Bill.' No answer."

Bill Johnston, who is 83 years old, had wandered away toward a main highway.

Joan Johnston recalled, "I looked over -- was looking all around the parking lots and the shopping center, across the street from McDonald's I saw him. ... He couldn't remember when I would be back. When I wasn't there the he said -- 'Well where is she? I'll just walk home."'

She picked him up and brought him home.

Bill Johnston is one of an estimated 5.3 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, and wandering is one of the most common symptoms.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, many will wander at least once during the progression of the disease, and many, three or more times which, Quijano noted, can make shoes loaded with GPS technology a literal life-saver, and ease the burden often placed on primary care-takers.

Andrew Carle, executive in residence of senior housing at George Mason University, saw a need to curb wandering and reached out to a California company that makes shoes with GPS systems. They partnered on a model for the elderly.

"(Primary caretakers are) afraid to even turn their back on their loved ones for two or three minutes or even to go to the bathroom for a few minutes, because they're afraid when they come out, they may be gone," Carle said. "And this technology can really help them and gives them a chance of locating them."

Seeking ways to control Bill Johnston's wandering, Joan Johnston and son Alan Johnston were led to George Mason University and Carle, who offered them a pair of shoes to test.

"We discussed it and we decided to try these shoes out on him," Alan Johnston said. "And (we) thought this would be a good match and kind of went from there."

A computer programmer, Alan Johnston takes care of the technological side of things for his parents.

"The shoes give you more control," Alan Johnston said. "My mom can call me immediately and I can give her immediate feedback on his location."

Carle said, "We're trying to maximize the odds that they're going to have this technology on them and the best location is to put it in shoes."

Joan and Bill Johnston hope it will make their lives easier. The philosophy Joan lives by? "You take it day-by-day and moment-by-moment and try not to plan too far ahead," she said. "I don't plan more than a day ahead of time. And you take it, today."

Carle also worked closely with a company in New Jersey Aetrex, on the shoe.

The GPS shoes can be ordered now here.

[Sloughfoot]

A lot of legal issues to be addressed before any tracking devices can be utilized without the wearers' consent. The most recent Supreme court rulings even open the door for the argument that authorities may not be able to use onboard tracking devices to apprehend auto thieves, cell phone thieves and even kidnappers where the tracking device was unknown to the criminal or was used to track the criminal without the criminals knowledge. The Court really opened Pandora's Box with this most recent ruling on tracking devices.

[GVJaneAz]

Fantastic idea. They should put them in children's shoes as well. Look at all the children who are kidnapped, et al, every yeaar. Would be a good way to keep track of teens as well! I would be willing to have a tracking chip put in my arm or leg, just as I do in all my dogs. The day is coming when the gov't will demand it of medical providers and we won't even know it. Hey if you like Obamacare...what else??

[waikiiranch]

While I appreciate the importance of the GPS technology for those with Alzheimers, I think there is a need for a much wider application of the same technology to locate anyone who is lost, needs help, is hurt,etc. by having a device that is easily tracked by police, fire or by individuals. Something like the "life line" idea, but one that can find you wherever you are. As someone pointed out, the "boomers" are coming, and they are healthier and living longer. They will be hiking, biking, riding horseback, canoeing, sailing etc. often alone. If they have a serious problem they need to be able to get help to them. I know if we can read people's licence plates from satelites that this technology is entirely "doable" - OH, and did I mention the cost needing to be afordable!

[mrleme]

You are complaining about cost? Really - isn't $300 a month, which might be subsidized, worth a life or should all the old and disabled that are unable to discern safety to be euthanized? Of course the price will come down in time but have any of you had the fear of a wandering lost loved relative?

[Sydonia56]

It's new technology and it will be expensive at first, but like everything else as time goes on and others develop their own brand prices will drop. I personally couldn't think of a better way to spend my money for my mother's safety if she had alzheimers. That really isn't very much to spend when it involves the safety of the person you love, I've been on search and rescue looking for lost people and children. Some with positive outcomes and others ending in tragedy. At least you would know where to begin and pinpoit exactly where they are. The manpower of law enforcement is phenominal in addition to the time the volunteers give because it's the right thing to do. Small price to pay to protect someone that gave their life raising you and keeping you safe while you were growing up. Too many of these people are found dead, especially when bad weather sets in, minutes count. Others are found dead in a field months after the search began and they were lost, lonely, cold, hungry and so frightened, I can only imagine the fear they feel when that moment of clarity comes upon them and they realize they are alone and die with no one there to comfort them, how terribly sad. Alzheimers is a terrible disease, for both the affected and the family that turns their back for just a moment to do a simple everyday task. I'd like to buy stock in this company, with the baby boomers around the corner it will grow into something that will be used daily, but most importantly keep them safe in just minutes

[Daid132]

That seems a little outrageous, price wise. But, why not make a bundle over someone else's misery...It's the American way!

[Zann-Zel]

What they don't tell you is the shoes are $300 + $35 to $40 a month for the tracking plan.

Not saying its not worth it - but why don't our reporters tell the whole story?