GPS-enabled tracking devices for people
electronic tracking device can utilize location information to potentially provide a safer tracked environment allowing vulnerable people to continue with their daily activities, as much as possible. This paper presents the options for alert escalation. The aim is to provide a safety net, without triggering unnecessary alarms. The escalation procedure involves initial speech alert to the user, then a speech and vibrate alert to the user as a reminder; this is followed by a text message to an identified carer if the user has not re-entered the designated safe zone. Parameters for alert escalation can be tuned to individual circumstances. The user can seek help by getting directions from the current position to home or by calling a carer.
The 21st century has brought an era of global population ageing. This will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of older people with dementia, with escalating costs for long term care. In 2010 it was estimated that worldwide cost of dementia care was US$604 billion. Due to problems with memory and orientation, older people and people with early stage dementia can easily get disorientated when away from their home. The increasing availability of GPS-enabled mobile devices can utilize location information to provide a safer tracked environment allowing users to continue with their daily activities, as much as possible, and providing some reassurance to their carers. Of course, ‘the people versus technology’ debate continues. This paper investigates the technology options for ‘geo-fencing’ with alert escalation. The aim is to provide a ‘safety net’, without triggering unnecessary alarms. It does not address user acceptance or usability with the intended cohort, but is a necessary pre-requisite technical validation.
One of the most demanding behaviours to cope with is that of wandering. Wandering occurs because many dementia sufferers have hypertension and feel an urge to walk; roughly 40% get lost. Using mobile phone technology, it is technically possible to provide a safer environment for the person and to assist their carers by contacting them if the person gets lost. By helping caregivers to form a better understanding of when, where and how to intervene, GPS tracking device could extend the time that a vulnerable person can perform unsupervised outdoor activities.
Apps that use tracking were compared for functionality. Some provided useful geofencing functionality with alerting functionality; the escalation of alerts was not considered. The GeoCare app uses Android version 4.0 or higher and was developed using Java. Additional development tools included Google maps Application Programmer Interface (API), Google directions API, Android Preference API, and Android Plot API. It uses LocationClient, part of the Google Play Services, and the environment must provide both GPS and WiFi connectivity. QR functionality should also be installed to potentially supplement functionality and complement GPS data. Communication via the Internet utilizes RESTful API. The performance is dependent on the strength and coverage of the electronic tracker signals. There are ethical issues to the deployment of such technology, which must be addressed to pursue this. Further work can also be undertaken on a more intelligent approach to escalation, which determines actual street topography, and if the user is moving towards home.
The 21st century has brought an era of global population ageing. This will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of older people with dementia, with escalating costs for long term care. In 2010 it was estimated that worldwide cost of dementia care was US$604 billion. Due to problems with memory and orientation, older people and people with early stage dementia can easily get disorientated when away from their home. The increasing availability of GPS-enabled mobile devices can utilize location information to provide a safer tracked environment allowing users to continue with their daily activities, as much as possible, and providing some reassurance to their carers. Of course, ‘the people versus technology’ debate continues. This paper investigates the technology options for ‘geo-fencing’ with alert escalation. The aim is to provide a ‘safety net’, without triggering unnecessary alarms. It does not address user acceptance or usability with the intended cohort, but is a necessary pre-requisite technical validation.
One of the most demanding behaviours to cope with is that of wandering. Wandering occurs because many dementia sufferers have hypertension and feel an urge to walk; roughly 40% get lost. Using mobile phone technology, it is technically possible to provide a safer environment for the person and to assist their carers by contacting them if the person gets lost. By helping caregivers to form a better understanding of when, where and how to intervene, GPS tracking device could extend the time that a vulnerable person can perform unsupervised outdoor activities.
Apps that use tracking were compared for functionality. Some provided useful geofencing functionality with alerting functionality; the escalation of alerts was not considered. The GeoCare app uses Android version 4.0 or higher and was developed using Java. Additional development tools included Google maps Application Programmer Interface (API), Google directions API, Android Preference API, and Android Plot API. It uses LocationClient, part of the Google Play Services, and the environment must provide both GPS and WiFi connectivity. QR functionality should also be installed to potentially supplement functionality and complement GPS data. Communication via the Internet utilizes RESTful API. The performance is dependent on the strength and coverage of the electronic tracker signals. There are ethical issues to the deployment of such technology, which must be addressed to pursue this. Further work can also be undertaken on a more intelligent approach to escalation, which determines actual street topography, and if the user is moving towards home.
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