BBC NEWS UK Tag dementia sufferers - minister
I think largely this depends on how advanced people with dementia are suffering because someone may give consent at one moment and then 'forget' all about that consent and will wonder why they are wearing a strange bracelet, tag or otherwise, which they would then try to remove.
Also, if this tagging device gives a clear signal as to the whereabouts of a particular person, the member monitoring the device would need to be proactive.
They may detect that the dementia sufferer is making their way to the local shops or the pub, but how are they making their way there?
Are they dressed correctly and decently?
Have they got shoes on?
Have they got the right clothing on for the right weather?
Do they have money?
Do they carry too much money, openly displayed?
What time of day is it?
Some people can attempt to go out at any time of day, 'looking for home' (where they lived 30 - 40 years ago), or looking for their family members (who may be living in the USA or elsewhere)
or want to go to the shops but head off in the wrong direction,
or cross a busy road without the aid of a safe crossing point.
There are a 1001 different scenarios to play with here!
How long will the monitor give the sufferer before they intervene?
If this is about rights of freedom for the sufferer, at what point should we intervene?
When the tag displays it has stopped in the middle of the street for 10 mins, 1 hour or 30 secs?
As the article in the link above states: Is tagging just for our convenience or theirs?
We appear not to have the resources available to closely monitor by being physically present with a sufferer any longer.
We allow a sufferer to wander, but cannot detect what they are doing which may place themselves in danger with electricity, fire, traffic, yobbos or anything else which they may not be particularly aware of.
A tag is fine for a temporary period of time but should never replace actual physical care!
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