Florida Sheriff’s Office Implement Wandering-Prevention Technology for Seniors

AUSTIN, Texas, and WILDWOOD, Fla. (May 25, 2021)—Clairvoyant Networks, Inc., developer of technology for remote monitoring, announced that Sumter County, Florida, sheriff’s office has chosen the company’s Theora Connect cellular wearable as part of its new community program called Dementia Recovery, Education and Management (DREAM). The program, funded by a grant recently awarded to the sheriff’s office from the Bureau of Justice Administration (BJA), uses Theora Connect wristwatch-style wearable to provide older adults more active independence while enabling families or professional caregivers to remotely monitor the wearer’s location, have automatic two-way communications and be alerted if the wearer exits a safe area. Empowering family and caregivers to proactively diffuse potential wandering events supports the goals of the DREAM program: to enable older adults to live in their home of choice; promote peace of mind for their family or caregivers by knowing an individual’s location with the ability to communicate directly; and reduce the increasing number of wandering incidents requiring law enforcement assistance. The smartwatch-style wearable and monthly cellular service are provided free of charge to those participating in the program.

Wandering is a rapidly growing safety issue with older adults. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, approximately 6.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and by 2050 it is projected to double to 13 million people. Studies have shown that 60% of people with dementia will wander sometime during their illness. A wandering event that requires law enforcement assistance can strain already strapped departmental resources. A typical search and rescue operation can cost taxpayers $1,500 per hour. 

Law enforcement agencies can find and apply for federal funding grants through the Department of Justice and the BJA. The BJA recognizes the funding issues facing law enforcement agencies as part of its mission to provide leadership and services in grant administration to support local, state and tribal law enforcement to achieve safer communities. 

As part of the multi-year DREAM program, Sumter County required a cellular wearable with the latest 4G technology; they liked the wristwatch-style design, as many residents would not wear a more stigmatizing form factor. Family members or other trusted contacts, such as a professional caregiver, can stay connected with the Theora Connect wearable using the Theora Link app on their smartphones. If the individual wearing this smartwatch should wander from a safe area, the primary family member or caregiver is alerted via the app and can call the wearer directly using auto-answering audio on the wearable. This enables trusted contacts to check in or reassure the wearer that they are on their way if a loved one has started to wander. Part of the overall solution required by the sheriff’s office is Theora ESP a secure, web-enabled monitoring dashboard that shows the wearer’s activity and location. If the law enforcement agency is contacted for assistance, the dashboard shows the deputies the Theora Connect wearer’s current GPS location for faster response. The dashboard continues to update until the individual is found. It also provides wearable usage information, part of the grant required reporting. Dozens of Theora Connect mobile PERS wearables have already been given to Sumter County citizens with Alzheimer’s, dementia,or other conditions that can benefit from remote monitoring.

Sharon Doncourt, Victim’s Advocate at Sumter County, explained, “We wanted to offer a proactive solution to families that would help them prevent wandering and give them peace of mind.  The goal of this program is to help bring family members home quickly and safely and decrease any risk to the person. … Our deputies are able to assist with fast location and rescue through the dashboard access, and we are able to significantly decrease the time it takes to locate a participant of this program. We are fortunate to have received this grant funding to provide these devices to families at no cost. The sheriff’s office shares a strong collaborative partnership with Clairvoyant Networks with a joint goal of providing care, safety and peace of mind to families.”

Visit theoracare.com or clairvoyantnetworks.com for more information.