Since June 2005, the ministry and a team from McMaster University have been working together on a project to study the use of locating technologies in protecting people who are at risk of wandering and becoming lost.
The project was completed in two phases. Phase 1 included a literature review focusing on wandering behaviour and locating technology, and a technical evaluation of five locating devices using pre-determined criteria. The literature review found that locating technology has not been studied rigorously among individuals at risk of wandering. The technical evaluation established complete descriptions of each device including effectiveness, wear-ability, ease of use, and ethical considerations. All of the devices evaluated were voluntarily submitted by technology manufacturers and technologies that met the criteria were further tested in Phase 2.
Phase 2 included seven volunteer trials among individuals and families to further assess the effectiveness of the devices in a “real world” setting. Phase 2 also included five panel discussions in which 71 volunteer participants heard a presentation describing the devices and were asked to provide their input on the strengths and limitations of each device. Panel discussions were held in Toronto, Hamilton, Sarnia, Sudbury and Ottawa.
The findings of the project indicate that, above all, no one locating device meets the needs of every individual, family or caregiver. Each device was found to have certain strengths and limitations. The project found that each device had particular limitations in either the reliability of the locating technology, or the system’s ability to meet the varied needs of people who have a history of wandering. The use of locating technology to help find someone who may wander and become lost is just one approach in a spectrum of safety policies, tools and practices that may be considered.
An executive summary of the locating technology project report is available for review.
The ministry and McMaster University have also developed a tip sheet to help families, interested individuals and caregivers understand how locating technology may assist them in providing additional safety and security for their loved ones. The tip sheet also points out some of the issues related to the use of locating technology including ethical considerations such as privacy.
The ministry is also looking into expanding current funding guidelines to include locating technology devices as an approved support tool for families to purchase where the use of such a device is expected to aid the individual’s personal growth and development.
For more information please contact the Developmental Services Branch.