Nearly 12 million of us take care of the 5.6 million Americans with the Alzheimer’s disease, a number that’s expected to increase to 16 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Assn.
The burden of care-taking places tremendous pressure on one’s time and resources. A 2009 AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving survey learned that caregivers — most typically middle-aged women providing care for a parent — give more than 20 hours of their time each week. Most say it interferes with work, and the longer someone is a caregiver, the more likely her own physical and mental health is to suffer.
One of the most troublesome circumstances with the disease is wandering or sun-downing where the afflicted will head out of where they are supposed to be and become disoriented. That happens to about 60% of the millions of the disease’s victims and only half will be found before they succumb to accidents, weather or exposure.
To provide a personal and discreet solution GTX Corp and Aetrex Worlwide have partnered to provide a walking shoe with a 2-way GPS tracking device that will alert, locate and track with a click to web enabled phone, pad or computer. AARP though it a viable solution.
