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PRODUCTS
Alzheimer's & Dementia
Bathroom
Bedroom
Kitchen & Dining
Living Room - Any Room
Outdoors - Wandering
Product Listing – Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone
24/7 Web-Based Location Service Using GPS


Alzheimer's Association Comfort Zone
VENDOR
Alzheimer's Association
COST
Device: $199 to $299

Activation fee: $45

Monthly Service:

15 minute location plan: $55 to $80, depending on device

30 minute location plan: $49 to $60, depending on device
DISCLAIMER
The listing of these products is for informational purposes and individuals must use their own caution and judgment when using these resources. Functional levels and changes in judgment and reasoning are highly variable in people with dementia. Interventions must be individualized and continually assessed because those that are effective for some individuals may only work briefly and may not work at all for others.
DESCRIPTION
Comfort Zone is a web based GPS location management system, developed by the Alzheimer's Association, to help you locate a loved one when the person is carrying a GPS device or has one mounted in their car. The device uses cell towers and/or satellite signals to find its location & sends that information to the Alzheimer's Association web mapping service.

You and other family members can view the person's location on a map 24/7 by using the secure website or you can place a toll free call to the monitoring center. The battery needs to be charged approximately every 2-1/2 to 3 days, depending on the plan you choose.
ADVANTAGES
Person has improved independence

Flexible options include preset (by caregiver) zoned boundaries with text/email alerts

Multiple caregivers can view the person's location from any web-connected computer

Devices & plans can be changed as needs change

Comes with an emergency medical health record & Safe Return® bracelet by MedicAlert® + Alzheimer's Association

Offers 24/7 emergency response & location assistance
LIMITATIONS
No system is foolproof

Person may refuse to carry device (car models may be best); no wrist unit available

Disruptions in satellite signals/network coverage may impact or delay location information

Doesn't work near tall buildings or bodies of water or in rural locations without service

Up to 15 or 30 minutes to verify location, depending on plan chosen

Special Note: Make sure the person knows when and how to charge the battery or appoint a reliable person who can do it for them.
This product has not been tested by ThisCaringHome.org.

Product Selection Criteria

Our goal is to teach you how to be a good consumer and to help you learn about specific products and unique product features that may enhance your safety and the safety and function of the person with dementia. The products shown in This Caring Home serve as examples only. Manufacturers continually change product specifications and the products represented may be different from those now on the market.

We realize this is not an all-inclusive list. Products featured in This Caring Home were chosen for one or more of the following reasons:
  • Affordability
  • Attractiveness
  • Availability
  • Color selection
  • Ease of use
  • Quality
  • Safety
We encourage you to discuss product selection with other caregivers and health care professionals.


How We Tested

"ThisCaringHome.org tested many products that are commonly recommended for best practices to identify the best use of these products and any potential problems in their use by caregivers and individuals with dementia. Each product included in an Expert Review was tested in a home environment, either an apartment or a single family home (or both), by at least two people. Rosemary Bakker, interior designer, gerontologist and dementia specialist, was one of the testers for every product. Whenever possible, we tested the product over time, sometimes days, weeks, or months, for:
  • Ease of use
  • Reliability
  • Potential safety issues
As a result of our testing, we're listing the pros and cons for using these products and including safety precautions for various products. These products were not tested by persons with dementia. We hope in the future to do case studies to learn more about what works and what doesn't work in a larger variety of caregiving situations and home environments."

Products listed on our website but not tested by ThisCaringHome.org are referred to as "Product Listings".


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