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GPS Trackers for Elderly Relatives

With age sadly for many people comes vulnerability; two of the biggest concerns we hear about at Age Space are an increased risk of a fall and dementia-related wandering.

GPS trackers for older people have been specifically designed to help alleviate these two worries by pinpointing the exact location of the user at any time. Most elderly tracking devices also have an SOS/panic button that, when pressed, will alert either a monitoring team or a family member that help is needed. This is especially important if someone has fallen.

There are lots of shapes and sizes of tracker to choose from, and it really depends on priorities and budget. Our curated list includes a range of GPS trackers for elderly relatives, from simple pendants to discreet wearable devices to stylish GPS tracking watches and nifty GPS fall detection enabled trackers.

Our Best GPS Trackers for the Elderly

Taking Care GPS Tracker Watch

Taking Care Mobile Alarm Watch

Taking Care Mobile Alarm

taking care out-and-abut mobile alarm

Telecare24 GO! GPS plan

Telecare24 GO! GPS

Careline365 GO GPS Plan

Telecare24 GO! GPS

SureSafeGO

SureSafeGO 24/7 Connect Alarm

Taking Care Out-and-About GPS Tracker Watch

The Taking Care Out-and-About Watch is a simple, easy-to-use GPS tracker watch with SOS button and two-way communication built in. It is small, light, sleek and stylish that even has a pedometer for those who like to remain active, who also want the reassurance they can get help in an emergency.

Gps tracker watch

The Out-and-About mobile watch works straight out of the box with no set up and is comfortable enough to be worn throughout the day. As a completely mobile device is works in or outside the home, wherever you are – provided there is signal. Should you fall, have a medical emergency, or get lost, simply press the SOS button on the front to speak directly with the Emergency Resolution Team, any time, day or night.ย 

By using accurate GPS tracking the monitoring team will be able to pinpoint your location and direct help to you from family, carers or emergency services. You can also set-up GPS ‘safe zones’. This means that an alarm is triggered should the watch move outside of a pre-set location. Family and friends can securely view the GPS location online at anytime.

The initial cost includes the purchase of the device – which means you will own the device outright. Taking Care also offer a full refund if the wearer is not getting on with it within the first 30 days.

What you need to know about the Taking Care GPS Tracking Watch

  • Battery life: 18 hrs (1 hour to charge)
  • Not water resistant
  • 3 simple buttons and clear bright screen
  • GPS Location is updated every 4mins or immediately if necessary
  • Check GPS location online
  • Geofencing safe zones
  • Monitoring: 24/7 trained team
  • Price: ยฃ17.15/month (+ยฃ99.99 initial cost)

Telecare24 GO! GPS Plan - GPS Tracker & Fall Detector

The GO! GPS plan from Telecare24 is a sleek option for a wearable GPS tracker for an elderly relative that comes as a pendant.ย 

With its sleek, understated and comfortable design, loved ones will barely be able to feel it – it is only 33grams! It is designed to be worn at all times, in the shower, bath or in bed.

Buddi GPS tracker for elderly

Telecare24 use one of the best GPS tracker models, the Chiptech GOTM on the market to deliver their GPS alarm. It is designed so that as soon as the wearer presses the SOS button on the pendant not only can the 24/7 care team get in touch with your loved one directly through the pendant but they can also pinpoint their location in order to get help to them.ย 

The GO! GPS plan enables active elderly people to feel safe while out and about whether it be going to the shops, taking the dog for walk or even something more adventurous! As long as the tracker has signal, Telecare24 will be able to get them help. Telecare24 also include fall detection as standard within the device – a feature worth ยฃ50!

What you need to know about the Telecare24 GO! GPS Plan

  • Battery life: 1-2 months
  • Recharge: 3-5hrs
  • Water resistance: IP67 (shower and bath)
  • Updates location only when pressed
  • Fall Detection: Included as standard
  • Monitoring: 24/7 trained team
  • Price: ยฃ249.99 (includes 12 months monitoring)

You can get ยฃ10 off any order with Telecare24 by using our special discount code, agespace10 at checkout.

Careline365 GO GPS Alarm - SOS pendant with GPS tracking

The Careline365 GO GPS Alarm comes with fall detection (optional), panic button and two-way communication to a 24/7 trained monitoring team. This stylish, lightweight SOS pendant can be traditionally worn around the neck or clipped onto a belt, or keyring. It offers reassurance for both older people who are actively out and about and those who are less steady on their feet.

lifeline24 go gps

This tracking device for the elderly is water resistant and has an average battery life of 1-2 months. When it comes to charging all you need to do is place the device on the dock and itโ€™ll begin to charge. No wires needed!

Careline365 is a family owned and managed company that has over 5,000 ‘very good’ reviews on Reviews.io. We had our own reviewer Jimmy (84) test it out, and you can read his comprehensive review here – ย Careline365 GO GPS Alarm.ย 

What you need to know about the Careline365 GO GPS Alarm

  • Battery life: 1-2 months
  • Recharge: 3-5hrs
  • Water resistance: IP67 (shower and bath)
  • Updates location only when pressed
  • Fall Detection: Optional extra
  • Monitoring: 24/7 trained team
  • Price: ยฃ254 (includes 12 months monitoring)

You can call Careline365 on 0800 101 3333 and quote discount code โ€œAS10โ€ to save ยฃ10 or follow the link to their website below and put in the discount code at checkout.

SuresafeGO - Elderly GPS Tracker

The SureSafeGO is a very capable GPS tracker that prioritises your elderly relative being able to get help in an emergency, with an SOS button front and centre. The device also packs in lots of additional features including GPS tracking, fall detection, two-way voice communication and more.

SuresafeGo

The SureSafeGO can be bought with a 24/7 monitoring package, which means the SureSafeโ€™s care team are connected if there’s cause for alarm. The 24/7 ย monitoring team will talk to your relative and work out the next steps to resolve the situation.

We had our own reviewer Kay (88) test it out, and you can read his comprehensive review here – SureSafeGO Review.

What you need to know about the SureSafeGO

  • Battery life: Between 4-7 days
  • Water resistance: Showerproof
  • Find me function enables you to request GPS location by text
  • GPS, Fall Detection, Fully Mobile
  • 24/7 Monitoring = ยฃ149.95 + ยฃ18.99/month (with Age Space discount applied

Visit SureSafe using the link below to get ยฃ30 Age Space discount automatically applied. Or call SureSafe on 0800 112 3201 and tell them you came from Age Space to benefit from ยฃ30 off.

Taking Care Out & About Mobile Alarm - Simple GPS Tracker

The Taking Care Out & About Mobile Alarm is a SOS pendant and GPS tracker for the elderly. We really like the device’s simple design. With only three buttons; the SOS button, ‘Yes’, and ‘No’ it is really easy to understand and use.

CPR Guardian GPS Watch

The Out & About Mobile Alarm has built-in fall detection, which automatically contacts the monitoring team should it detect a fall. As a mobile tracker there is no need to plug it in at home and works whether you’re at home or away from the house. The GPS tracking capabilities are excellent and you can set up ‘safe zones’ that notify the monitoring team when someone leaves or enters a predetermined area at particular times e.g. someone with dementia leaving their house at night.

The device has a built-in speaker and microphone which enables the wearer to talk directly to the 24/7 monitoring team. You can also input the numbers of 2 friends or family members so that the wearer can call them easily, even if there isn’t an emergency. This makes it a good option if they find mobile phones still a little too tricky. Finally, another great feature of this tracker is that you can set up alerts to take medication to help remind the more forgetful to take theirs!

The initial cost includes the purchase of the device – which means you will own the device outright. If your elderly relative is not getting on with the Out & About Mobile Alarm, Taking Care offer a 30 day full refund policy. They also offer a 12 month warranty period, should anything go wrong with the device.

What you need to know about the Taking Care Mobile Alarm

  • Battery life: 50 hrs
  • Not Water Resistant
  • 3 Simple Buttons and Clear Bright Screen
  • Geofencing safe zones
  • Monitoring: Family and carers
  • Price: ยฃ19.99/month (+ยฃ134.99 initial cost)

Buyer's guide to GPS watches & trackers for the elderly

Buying a GPS tracker for elderly relatives doesnโ€™t need to be a long and difficult process. All of the devices on this page have GPS capabilities, but there might be other things you need to consider when buying one. For example, individual devices might have different or extra features that you need (or don’t!).ย 

Monitoring

The first decision is to decide whether you want to have a 24/7 monitoring service or if you prefer to manage the emergency alerts yourself. The benefit of a 24/7 monitoring service is just that - they're available 24 hours, 7 days a week. They are trained to deal with older people in emergencies and contact the relevant people and services. They can also manage any false alarms safely and promptly.

If you decide against 24/7 monitoring, the trackers we've included use smart technology to connect family and carers via an app. You can set up safe zones, track the wearers location and be alerted if there's a fall. The main difference is that the family or nominated carer is the emergency contact 24/7.

Dementia GPS tracker features

Personal circumstances will also influence the type of features you need. For example, if your elderly relative lives with dementia and is prone to wandering, you will want to be notified if they leave their home.

Different options for wearable GPS trackers

Wearability is also important. You might find initial reluctance from an older person, so it's important to find something they feel comfortable wearing. Whether that be something hidden in their shoe, discreet like a health watch or traditional like a attractive pendant. They also need to be able to remember to wear it when they step out the door. If they are particularly forgetful, a watch or insole might be better.

Price

Finally, price is a major consideration. Monitored GPS trackers tend to be more expensive, however, this is because you are paying for the reassurance and security that someone trained to deal with every eventuality, will be available 24/7.

Frequently asked questions on GPS tracker devices

What is the best GPS tracker for seniors?

There isn't one answer to this. Different GPS trackers and GPS watches will suit different needs. We recommend looking at the options above and picking the device that will work best for your elderly relative's needs and circumstance.ย 

How do GPS trackers work?

GPS trackers work by sending information up to satellites, that use this information to work out the location (a technique called triangulation).ย 

Do GPS trackers need SIM cards to work?

Yes. In order to communicate with the satellites they need to be connected to the SIM network. In most GPS trackers for the elderly, the SIM card is already built in to the device.

How much do GPS Trackers cost?

GPS trackers for the elderly cost anywhere from ยฃ200 to just over ยฃ500 per year. The main thing that this depends on is whether the device is monitored 24/7 by a monitoring team or not and how many additional features are included. Considering that you can expect to pay a similar amount per week for a carer, we think that a GPS tracker should definitely be a consideration to help you feel safer and more reassured of your elderly parent's wellbeing.ย 

Can GPS trackers be worn with pacemakers?

If your elderly relative does have a pacemaker we definitely recommend that you consider GPS trackers that can be worn as watches, or clipped around the waist. We also recommend speaking to both the GPS tracker provider and your relative's doctor to make sure they are happy with them wearing the tracker.ย 

How do you charge a wearable GPS tracker

This will depend on the individual product you choose. More and more GPS tracker providers are shifting to wireless charging, which allows someone to just place the device on a charging station, without having to plug any wires in. Other GPS trackers still use the traditional wired approach.ย 

How do you set up 'safe zones' and geofences

If your GPS tracker comes with the ability to set up geofences or 'safe zones', this means that you will be able to define a specific area that if tracker leaves or enters, you (or a monitoring team) will be notified. How you do this changes depending on device but it is commonly done through an accompanying app that you have on your phone. Other methods to do this are by talking to the provider when you set up or on a website on the computer.

Are there any GPS trackers without monthly fees?

Nearly all GPS trackers will come with monthly fees as to do their job they need to be connected to the SIM network, which needs to be topped up every month. Other monthly costs will be for the use of a 24/7 monitoring team to be ready if an alarm is every sounded. You can get GPS trackers that don't use a 24/7 monitoring team which include the SureSafeGO +, SmartSole and the CPR Guardian.