GPS trackers for the elderly: from regulations to practice

If you look after ageing parents or grandparents, a GPS tracker for the elderly will keep them safe and give you peace of mind. What are all your options, and what should you look out for when buying a GPS tracker for an elderly relative?

An elderly lady strayed from the path and got lost in the woods; an elderly man boarded the wrong bus and couldn't find his way back home. Stories like these appear in the media all the time. Sadly, advancing age almost always brings a poorer sense of direction and a loss of sound judgement. Yet family and loved ones are among the most precious things we have in life. If you look after ageing parents or grandparents, a GPS tracker for the elderly will keep them safe and give you peace of mind. What are all your options, and what should you look out for when buying a GPS tracker for an elderly relative?

GPS trackers for the elderly and personal data processing

The person you are tracking must know that you are following their movements with a GPS tracker, and they must also agree to it. That is because using a GPS tracker for the elderly involves processing the person's personal data, such as their geographical position, speed and direction of movement. To comply with personal data protection law in the Czech Republic, you therefore cannot do without their consent. The seller of the GPS tracker will most likely ask you for the person's consent to the processing of their personal data (and thus to being tracked by you personally via the GPS tracker) – and will want it in writing. As the person doing the tracking, you are then obliged to produce this written consent for inspection at the request of the seller or the Czech Office for Personal Data Protection. So even if you are acting in good faith and simply trying to keep your relative safe, the law is the law, and it is clear – written consent is required.

What can a GPS tracker for the elderly help you with?

As well as pinpointing location, GPS trackers for the elderly can offer other functions. They can signal an emergency and provide voice communication or remote listening. They can also alert you when the person leaves a defined area or, conversely, enters a selected area. That way you'll know, for example, that they have got home safely from the shops or have accidentally boarded the wrong bus.

GPS trackers for the elderly come in many different forms and sizes and with a variety of extra features. So you can choose exactly the one that suits your loved one's needs perfectly.

The classic GPS tracker for the elderly

The first thing that probably comes to mind is a GPS tracker in the shape of a small box. It uses the GPS network to determine the person's exact position and sends it to a phone number or email address of your choice. You can choose the time intervals at which the tracker regularly reports the position, or dial the number of the tracker's SIM card to get up-to-date information. The GPS tracker can also be linked to a mobile app, so you have your relative's movements at your fingertips. Some models also offer a remote listening option. If you are worried that your relative is in a crisis situation, you call the number of the tracker's SIM card and immediately find out what is happening on the spot, without the tracker giving any indication of it.

This type of GPS tracker tends to be small and light, so you can easily slip it into a pocket or, say, the shopping bag your relative regularly takes to the shops. Its other advantages are a lower price and versatility. If for any reason you no longer want to track the person's location, you can put the tracker in a car, for example, and protect yourself against theft.

GPS tracker watches for the elderly

Do you have an older family member who gets a little forgetful now and then, but is otherwise sharp and able to keep up with today's technology? Then the right choice is a watch which, besides tracking the wearer's location, offers a whole range of other functions. A GPS tracker in the form of a watch also works as a phone, so your relative can call you in an emergency. But they can also dial several other numbers stored in the watch and so have a chat with friends or send them a text or voice message. Older people who enjoy walks and outings will also appreciate the pedometer function and the simple built-in camera.

A GPS tracker pendant for the elderly

If a watch is too complicated for your relative to operate, but you still expect more from a tracker than just location, get them a GPS tracker in the form of a pendant worn around the neck. It usually comes with a fall sensor and an SOS button that lets the wearer start a voice call with you in an emergency. Another undeniable advantage is that the wearer has it on them at all times, no matter which jacket or rucksack they take.

At SensFleet, we'll be happy to help you keep your loved ones safe with a personal GPS tracker.