Dementia Safety at Home: How Cameras and GPS Trackers Gave Me Peace of Mind

One of the hardest realities of caring for someone with dementia is knowing that, despite your best efforts, they can disappear in a matter of seconds.

I know that fear all too well.

My late husband, Mike, was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at just 53 years old. As his disease progressed, wandering became one of my greatest fears. Then one night, my worst nightmare became reality. Mike disappeared for over 13 hours.

Those were the longest 13 hours of my life.

After that experience, I realized I couldn't rely on hope alone. I needed tools that would help keep him safe and give me a fighting chance if he wandered again.

Cameras Became My Extra Set of Eyes Find Cameras

One of the first things I did was install cameras around our home.

I placed cameras at every exterior door and positioned them to cover our driveway and the areas where Mike might leave the house. They weren't there to invade his privacy—they were there to protect him.

The cameras allowed me to:

- Know immediately if he walked outside.

- See which direction he went.

- Review footage if he slipped out without me noticing.

- Give first responders accurate information if I needed help finding him.

Most importantly, they helped me sleep a little easier at night.

GPS Trackers Were Worth Every Penny Find Trackers

I quickly learned that one tracker wasn't enough.

Mike didn't always carry the same things, so I placed GPS trackers in several locations.

I hid them in his vehicles.

I kept one in his wallet.

I attached them to our car keys.

Whenever possible, I even placed one inside his clothing.

The goal wasn't to track him because I didn't trust him.

The goal was to find him quickly if dementia caused him to become confused or lost.

Every minute matters when someone with dementia wanders.

Why Multiple Trackers Matter

People living with dementia often remove watches, leave their wallets behind, or change clothes without realizing it.

That's why having multiple tracking options can make such a difference.

Think about where your loved one consistently keeps items with them:

- Wallet

- Keys

- Shoes

- Jacket

- Purse

- Vehicle

- Mobility device

Using more than one tracker increases the chances you'll be able to locate them quickly.

Other Safety Measures That Help Search Safety Products

Technology works best when combined with a few simple safety habits.

Consider:

- Door alarms or sensors that alert you when a door opens.

- Medical ID bracelets with emergency contact information.

- A recent photograph of your loved one.

- An updated list of medications and medical conditions.

- Letting trusted neighbors know they have dementia so they can call you if they see them alone.

Small preparations today can make an enormous difference during an emergency.

Don't Wait Until After They Wander

Looking back, I wish I had installed everything sooner.

It's easy to think, "They've never wandered before."

That's exactly what I thought.

Dementia changes quickly, and wandering can begin with little warning.

Preparing before it happens is far easier than trying to respond after your loved one has already disappeared.

A Final Thought

No camera, GPS tracker, or alarm can replace the watchful eyes of a caregiver.

But they can become part of your caregiving team.

They can buy precious time.

They can reduce anxiety.

And they can help bring someone you love safely back home.

If sharing my journey with Mike helps even one caregiver avoid those terrifying 13 hours that I experienced, then telling our story is worth it.

You are not alone on this journey.

At CareDonna, we're here to walk beside you every step of the way.