CoverMapWhy families consider a GPS tracker
Alzheimer’s Society estimates that 982,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, rising to 1.4 million by 2040. Many people with dementia continue to enjoy walking about their neighbourhood, but memory loss and disorientation can mean they get lost or can’t find their way home. The Metropolitan Police, citing the UK Missing Persons Bureau, reported that around 1,000 people with dementia went missing in 2014 to 2015.
Alzheimer’s Society describes GPS devices as a way to help someone keep walking about as safely as possible. The Metropolitan Police has made a similar point: trackers do not replace good care and support, but they can increase independence and reduce the need for more restrictive measures such as locked doors.
What a dementia GPS tracker does
According to Alzheimer’s Society, GPS devices for people with dementia are usually worn on the wrist like a watch or around the neck, and can offer some or all of these features:
- Location checks: a named person can see where the wearer is.
- Safe zones (geofencing): an alert is sent if the wearer leaves an area you set, such as their street or neighbourhood.
- SOS button: the wearer can press a button to get help.
- Fall alerts: some devices raise an alert if a fall is detected.
Alerts can go to family, other chosen people or a 24/7 monitoring centre, but only where there is a mobile signal.
Not every GPS alarm tracks continuously
This is the most important thing to check. Some GPS alarms only send a location when an alarm is raised. Taking Care, for example, says its GO device sends the wearer’s location to the response team when the alarm is triggered and does not follow them continuously. By contrast, its Dementia Tracker Watch lets family set safe zones and view location in an app. If the main worry is someone getting lost, look for safe-zone alerts and app location, not just an SOS button.
What to check before you buy
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Will they wear it? | Alzheimer’s Society suggests a familiar style, such as a watch if they already wear one, may work better. |
| Battery life and charging | Most devices can’t be charged while worn. Taking Care’s watches last about 2–3 days per charge; its GO device about 1–2 months. |
| Mobile signal | Alerts only work with a signal. Alzheimer’s Society notes a roaming SIM can use whichever network is strongest. |
| Safe-zone alerts | Check who receives them (family, a monitoring centre or both) and how (app, text or call). |
| Location accuracy at home | GPS works best outdoors. Some devices add a plug-in beacon for more precise location indoors. |
| Water resistance | Some watches handle rain and splashes but shouldn’t be worn in the bath or shower. |
Dementia tracker prices
| Device | Setup | Monthly | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taking Care – Dementia Tracker Watch | £99.99 (includes watch) | £29.99 | Safe zones, family app, SOS button with two-way speech, 24/7 team; no fall detection listed |
| Taking Care – Personal Alarm Watch | £99.99 (includes watch) | £26.49 | SOS button, fall detection and GPS, family app |
| Taking Care Anywhere | £70.00 | £31.49 | GPS pendant with fall detection, home and out and about |
| Taking Care GO | £79.99 | £25.49 | Small GPS SOS device with fall detection; location sent when an alarm is raised |
Prices from taking.care in October 2026, shown excluding VAT. A person whose dementia counts as a long-term illness may qualify for VAT relief; check eligibility with the provider. Councils sometimes provide tracking devices after a needs assessment, so it is worth asking adult social services too.
Taking Care provides the personal alarms sold by Age UK. These devices all include 24/7 monitoring by a UK team, a built-in SIM (no smartphone or landline needed) and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Prices from taking.care, checked October 2026, and shown excluding VAT (many users qualify for VAT relief). CoverMap may earn a commission if you buy through these links. It doesn’t affect the price you pay.
Consent, capacity and the person’s rights
Tracking someone raises real questions about privacy and dignity. Dementia UK has said the decision should put the person’s safety first while respecting their privacy, and ideally be made with their consent. Alzheimer’s Society stresses that a device should help the person stay independent, not simply “tag” them for others’ convenience.
In England and Wales, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out five principles that apply when deciding for someone who may lack capacity:
- Assume the person has capacity unless it is shown otherwise.
- Support them to make their own decision as far as possible.
- Don’t treat a decision as lacking capacity just because it seems unwise.
- Anything done for someone who lacks capacity must be in their best interests.
- Always consider the option that is least restrictive of their rights and freedom.
Alzheimer’s Society notes that having power of attorney does not remove the need to act in the person’s best interests. In practice, talk to the person early, ideally while they can still say what they would want, involve other family members, and review the arrangement as their needs change.
The Herbert Protocol: a free step to take now
Many UK police forces use the Herbert Protocol, a form that families or carers fill in ahead of time for a vulnerable person. It records a description and photo, medication, phone numbers, places they have been found before and past home and work addresses. If the person goes missing, you hand it to the police so they can start searching straight away. Search your local police force’s website for “Herbert Protocol”. It works alongside a tracker, not instead of one.
Other ways to keep someone safe
- Ask the council’s adult social services for a free needs assessment, which can lead to assistive technology.
- Consider a fall alarm if falls are also a worry, or a standard personal alarm for time at home.
- Fit a key safe so responders and carers can get in.
- Make sure neighbours and local shops the person visits know who to contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best GPS tracker for someone with dementia?
It depends on the person. Look for a device they will actually wear, with safe-zone alerts, an SOS button, a battery life you can manage and good mobile signal where they walk. Some GPS alarms only send a location when an alarm is raised, so check how tracking works.
How much does a dementia GPS tracker cost in the UK?
Monitored devices with a 24/7 response team typically cost about £25–£32 a month plus a setup fee of about £70–£100. For example, Taking Care’s Dementia Tracker Watch is £99.99 to set up and £29.99 a month, excluding VAT.
Is it legal to track someone with dementia?
In England and Wales, decisions for someone who lacks capacity must follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005: they must be in the person’s best interests and the least restrictive option. Involve the person as much as possible. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can I get a GPS tracker free from the council?
Sometimes. Councils may provide assistive technology after a needs assessment from adult social services. Availability varies by area, so ask your council.
What is the Herbert Protocol?
A form used by many UK police forces that families fill in ahead of time with key details about a vulnerable person, such as a photo, medication and places they might go, to speed up the search if they go missing.
Sources
- Alzheimer’s Society – GPS devices
- Alzheimer’s Society – How many people have dementia in the UK? (May 2024)
- legislation.gov.uk – Mental Capacity Act 2005, section 1 explanatory notes
- Homecare.co.uk – Metropolitan Police Safer Walking campaign (May 2017)
- South Yorkshire Police – Herbert Protocol
- Taking Care – Dementia Tracker Watch
- Taking Care – Personal Alarm Watch
- Taking Care – Taking Care Anywhere
- Taking Care – GO GPS tracker
- NHS – Getting a needs assessment