GPS Trackers for People with Dementia

AngelSense was designed for children with special needs in mind. But parents of special needs children and caregivers of people with dementia share many common challenges. AngelSense addresses the needs of both groups.

The AngelSense GPS device tracks your loved one without limiting their freedom. It attaches securely to clothing and shoes or can go around their waist like a fanny pack. The device links to a caregiver app where you can set up safe zones, get custom alerts, and even talk to them directly through a two-way speaker.

We've chosen a few other GPS trackers ideal for people with Alzheimer's or dementia to help you find one with the best features and price for you.

The AngelSense app is the control center for the device. These are a few of its features:

• Set up virtual fences
• Get regular GPS location updates
• Create custom alerts 
• Retrace their steps 
• See their current location

In addition, its audio features let you listen in to their environment or speak to them directly, regardless of whether they're able to answer your call or press the SOS button.

Unfortunately, AngelSense is not waterproof, but the sleeves can help keep water off the device while they’re outside.

Most important of all, AngelSense is the best GPS tracker for people with dementia for finding someone during an emergency. You can loop in friends or law enforcement for an all-hands-on-deck search. Everyone can see the device's location once you share the emergency tracking link directly from the app.

You'll get location updates every 10 seconds when you activate "runner mode," and you can also cause the device to emit an audible beep to help with tracking. AngelSense also leverages Wi-Fi signals for accurate indoor location tracking.

Learn more about pricing and features from our full AngelSense review. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos like this one! Learn how to protect your home, your loved ones, yourself, and your belongings.

It comes in four stylish designs, and you can purchase a locking strap to make sure your loved one doesn't try to take off the watch. 

The Tranquil GPS Watch ships to you for free in 2 days. Take advantage of the 30-day free trial to make sure it's right for you.

But it's not all bad news for Theora Connect—this GPS watch for people with dementia does have some unique features. It can pair with a door alarm to alert in-home caregivers to an elopement in progress. It also includes a pedometer, weather app, and changeable watch face. 

As with AngelSense, Theora Connect lets you loop in other caregivers in the app, giving your relatives or professional caregivers access to your loved one’s location. It’s a quick way to form search parties in your community.

On the flip side, you can't set up any geofences or safe zones, but you can check their location at any time through the companion app. 

Learn more in our full Medical Guardian product guide.

SmartSoles are expensive up front and can cost up to $25 per month (depending on which plan you choose). Both plans offer basic location features to help you keep track of your loved one.

If you have a limited budget, there are discounts for ordering multiple pairs of insoles. You can also get a discount through some insurance companies (just ask your agent before you buy). SmartSole also has some helpful Medicare resources.

While SmartSole isn’t on the cutting edge of tech, its readings are accurate and easy to understand. We like that it’s a discreet way to care for a person with dementia without causing them discomfort or unwanted attention.

Jiobit gets the job done if you're pinching pennies, but it's not the best GPS tracker for people with dementia because it lacks a speaker. You can't talk to your loved one and ask them to wait for you or reassure them if they're scared. 

That said, Jiobit has an impressive battery life and has proved accurate in our tests.  

Learn more from our full Jiobit review.

Whether you’re caring for a parent, grandparent, or other family member with dementia, you don’t have to go it alone.

Technology like GPS trackers and medical alert systems can help you along the way, and our top pick is AngelSense. But it's no replacement for support from friends, family, and community. The more help you have from the people around you, the better care you can provide to your loved one.

We put a lot of thought into what makes the best GPS tracking device for someone with dementia. The main factors we landed on were comfort, battery life, and trackability. Plus, we knew it would be important to find devices that people with dementia couldn't easily remove.

We compared professionally-monitored and caregiver-monitored devices across more than 20 specs to find the best features and value. 

Learn more about how we approach reviews like this one on our methodology page.

• Kids GPS Trackers
• Best Medical Alert Watches
• Best Medical Alert Systems
• Best Medical Alert Systems for Fall Detection
• Best Medical Alert Systems with GPS
• The 5 Best GPS Vehicle Trackers

1. Dana Sparks, The Mayo Clinic, “Alzheimer’s: Understand Wandering and How to Address It,” November 2020. Accessed November 3, 2022. 
2. Natali Edmonds, Dementia Careblazers, “Know What To Do If Your Loved One Wanders Away,” April 2017. Accessed September 8, 2022.