A police force in the UK is using Bluetooth tracking bracelets for people with dementia to protect them with high-tech technology.
From this month Avon and Somerset Police will begin distributing free Bluetooth bracelets to families. It is part of a wider initiative to protect dementia patients, who often suffer extreme memory loss and confusion due to the incurable disease.
The bracelets are equipped with Tile, a popular tracking device similar to the Apple Airtag. Once the tag is attached to a patient, caregivers can track their location via a smartphone app. If the person moves too far away, the app sends a warning.
The Bluetooth range of Tile tags is typically limited to a few hundred meters. However, the device can perform a virtual “handshake” with other smartphones running the Tile app to create a crowdsourced tracking network. Life360, the US company that makes Tile, says over 76 million people use its app worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, dementia is a growing problem worldwide. Over 55 million people are currently living with this disease.
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The program was launched by Inspector Stuart King in 2015 after an increase in the number of missing people with the disease.
“The introduction of Bluetooth-enabled devices from Life360 and Tile is a significant step forward in protecting people with dementia,” Inspector King said.
“These discreet and easy-to-use devices not only provide peace of mind for families, but can also be an important tool in emergencies, enabling rapid response and timely assistance,” he said.
Tile also has QR code functionality. When the QR code on the back of the device is scanned, next of kin or caregivers can be contacted directly by phone or text message.
Unlike GPS devices, which require regular charging, the battery in Bluetooth bracelets should last about three years.
The initiative comes amid a boom Health techas startups develop high-tech solutions, from machines that help detect cancer to algorithms that speed the discovery of new drugs.
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