Advanced Technology Suggestions
Chair or Bed Occupancy Sensors are placed under a chair pad, or on top of the mattress, to monitor movement. These are linked to a control unit which communicates with a call centre via the telephone line if a person has left their chair or got up during the night and then not returned to their bed. They can be programmed with a time delay before raising an alert to allow the person to use the toilet, or make a drink. The sensor can also identify if a person has not gone to bed at night or has not got up in the morning. There are installation and ongoing costs associated with these products.
Global Positioning Technology (GPS) and Mobile Phones - Many products use GPS to monitor and track users, including mobile phones and hand held tracking devices. The tracking device is usually carried in a bag or worn on a person, for example, on a lanyard around their neck. This technology can assist to locate a person holding or wearing the device. Models vary in complexity and price. A ‘real time trace’ is where the location of the tracking device or mobile phone is texted to the carer via SMS from the service provider. Alternatively the location can be viewed on a computer generated map on the carers’ phone or computer. GPS technology does have some limits depending on the product you are using. GPS is unable to track signals inside buildings or on some transport. Tracking capacity can also depend on the service provider’s coverage areas.
Medi-Trak is a system which consists of a small radio transmitter in the form of a pendant worn around the neck or as a belt. The transmitter emits a silent signal which is detected by a separate radio telemetry receiver and can then be tracked with a directional- finding antenna.
Security Technology, such as farm cams, may be used on remote or isolated properties if there are concerns that if a person walks or wanders away from the property there is a significant risk of harm due to environmental elements, i.e. extremes of temperatures and geography (desert or rugged bushland). A sensor across the driveway or gate of the property is linked to a receiver in the home or working area of the property. When this sensor is triggered an alarm is activated and the carer is notified.