GPS Devices to Monitor Cognitive Impairment People: Technical Implications of Personal Trackers for Use in Mexico

A behavioral manifestation of Alzheimer or cognitive impairment patients is their tendency to suffer spatial and temporal disorientation and getting themselves lost. Caregivers of these patients tackle this situation with the use of GPS devices, because it allows them to be peaceful and confident, knowing they can immediately track the patient in case they go missing. The present work describes, from a compilation of information of governmental health programs and websites of companies related to the monitoring of people and from personal conversations with geo-location service providers, the technical implications caregivers ought to know about the GPS technology for its use with Alzheimer and cognitive impairment patients.