Dementia tracking watches are wearable devices designed to help families and carers keep vulnerable loved ones safe, particularly when there is a risk of wandering or getting lost. They combine location tracking, mobile connectivity, and alert features into a simple device that can be worn every day.
Unlike smartphones, which can be forgotten or misplaced, dementia tracking watches are designed to stay on the wearer’s wrist and work quietly in the background. This makes them especially useful for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
What Is a Dementia Tracking Watch?
A dementia tracking watch is a wearable safety device that allows carers to see the wearer’s location and receive alerts if something unusual happens. Most models are designed specifically for older adults and people with cognitive impairment, prioritising simplicity, reliability, and ease of use.
These watches typically include:
- GPS location tracking
- Mobile network connectivity (rather than relying on home WiFi)
- Alerts for wandering or leaving safe areas
- An emergency call or alarm function
The goal is not surveillance, but reassurance. Dementia tracking watches help families respond quickly if a loved one becomes disoriented or lost.
How Location Tracking Works
Dementia tracking watches use a combination of technologies to estimate the wearer’s location.
Most commonly, this includes:
- GPS for outdoor location tracking
- Mobile network data to maintain connectivity wherever there is signal
- WiFi positioning in some environments to improve accuracy indoors
The watch regularly sends location updates via the mobile network to a secure system that carers can access through an app or web dashboard. This allows families to check a loved one’s location in near real time.
Location accuracy can vary depending on surroundings, signal strength, and whether the wearer is indoors or outdoors, but the system is designed to provide a clear and useful indication of where someone is.
What Happens If Someone Wanders?
Wandering is common in people living with dementia and can happen even in familiar places. Dementia tracking watches are designed to detect and respond to this risk.
Many systems allow carers to set up safe zones, sometimes called geofences. These are virtual boundaries around places such as the home, a care facility, or a familiar neighbourhood.
If the wearer moves outside one of these safe zones:
- The watch detects the change in location
- An alert is sent to the carer or family member
- The carer can check the live location and decide what to do next
You can learn more about this feature in our guide to geofencing for dementia care.
Why Watches Work Better Than Phones for Dementia Care
Smartphones are not always suitable for people with dementia. They can be forgotten, turned off, or left behind, and many people find them confusing to use.
Dementia tracking watches are designed with these challenges in mind:
- They are worn on the wrist, reducing the chance of being misplaced
- Some models use secure or non-removable straps
- There are fewer buttons and distractions
- Alerts and tracking work automatically without user input
This makes watches a more reliable option for continuous safety monitoring.
Emergency Alerts and Carer Notifications
In addition to location tracking, many dementia watches include emergency alert features. These allow help to be summoned quickly if the wearer is distressed, falls, or needs assistance.
Alerts may be triggered:
- Automatically, if certain conditions are met
- Manually, using a button on the watch
Once an alert is raised, carers can be notified by phone call, text message, or app notification, depending on the system in use. Location information is usually shared at the same time so help can be directed quickly.
Accuracy and Limitations
No dementia tracking watch is perfect, and it’s important to understand the limitations.
Location accuracy can be affected by:
- Poor mobile signal
- Dense buildings or indoor environments
- Battery level
Similarly, alerts depend on the watch being worn correctly and kept charged. For this reason, dementia tracking watches should be seen as a safety aid rather than a guarantee.
Used alongside regular routines, supervision, and care planning, they can significantly reduce risk and provide peace of mind.
How Dementia Tracking Watches Help Families
For families and carers, the biggest benefit of a dementia tracking watch is reassurance. Knowing where a loved one is, and being alerted quickly if something goes wrong, can reduce anxiety and help people live more independently for longer.
Many carers use these devices as part of a broader approach to dementia care, alongside home adaptations, community support, and medical guidance.
Choosing the Right Dementia Tracking Watch
Not all dementia tracking watches offer the same features or reliability. When choosing a device, it’s important to consider:
- Ease of use for the wearer
- Battery life and charging routine
- Accuracy of location tracking
- Quality of alerts and notifications
- Suitability for people with dementia
Learn more about the features of our dementia tracking watch and how it is designed to support people living with dementia and their families by clicking this link.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dementia Tracking Watches
How does a dementia tracking watch work?
A dementia tracking watch uses GPS and mobile network connectivity to send regular location updates to carers. If the wearer moves outside a pre-defined safe area or triggers an alert, notifications are sent so carers can respond quickly.
Are dementia tracking watches accurate?
Dementia tracking watches are generally accurate outdoors where GPS signal is strong. Accuracy can vary indoors or in areas with poor signal, which is why these devices should be seen as a safety aid rather than a guarantee.
What happens if someone with dementia wanders?
If the wearer leaves a safe zone, the watch detects the change in location and sends an alert to carers. Carers can then view the person’s live location and decide on the best course of action.
Can a dementia tracking watch work without WiFi?
Yes. Most dementia tracking watches use mobile networks rather than home WiFi, allowing them to work both indoors and outdoors wherever there is mobile signal.
Why is a watch better than a phone for dementia tracking?
People living with dementia may forget to carry or charge a phone, or find it confusing to use. A watch is worn on the wrist, works automatically, and is less likely to be misplaced.
Are dementia tracking watches suitable for people with Alzheimer’s disease?
Yes. Dementia tracking watches are commonly used by people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, particularly when there is a risk of wandering or disorientation.
Do dementia tracking watches replace supervision or care?
No. Dementia tracking watches are designed to support carers, not replace supervision or care. They work best when used alongside regular routines, supervision, and wider dementia care planning.
The UK's Most Effective Dementia Tracker Watch
- Set Safe Zones For Loved Ones
- Precise Location Tracking
- Receive SOS Alerts If Zones Are Crossed
