Launching soon
An honest guide
GPS tracking for dementia: a free app, or a wearable?
The right tool depends on the stage. Here’s the straight answer — including when Pathbox is not the one to use.
Match the tool to the stage
There’s a lot of money in “dementia GPS trackers,” and most of the marketing skips the one thing you actually need to know: a tracker only works if it stays with the person.
Early stage — a free phone app is usually enough
Someone in the early stages of memory loss typically still carries a smartphone, charges it at night, and moves around independently. That’s exactly the situation Pathbox is built for. You install it on their phone, and you can see where they are and where they’ve been — for free, with no device to buy.
This is the moment to set it up together, while they can be part of the decision. It’s their phone and their safety; involving them keeps trust intact.
Advanced stage — buy a wearable
As dementia progresses, the phone gets left behind, turned off, or forgotten on the charger. No app can fix that. When you reach this point, a dedicated wearable — a GPS watch, pendant, or shoe insole designed to stay on the person — is worth every penny, subscription included. Look at services like AngelSense, Jiobit, or Project Lifesaver.
We’d rather send you to the right tool than sell you the wrong one.
A quick way to decide
| If… | Use |
|---|---|
| They carry and charge their phone | A free app like Pathbox |
| They sometimes leave the phone behind | A free app now, plan for a wearable |
| They no longer reliably carry a phone | A wearable GPS device |
When a phone still works, Pathbox is the cheapest way to get peace of mind — it’s free.
Straight talk
The one question that decides it
Will they reliably carry and charge a phone?
If yes, a free app does the job. If no, buy a wearable — and don’t let anyone sell you a subscription you don’t need until you’ve answered that question honestly.
Questions families ask
Can a phone app track someone with dementia?
In the early and middle stages, yes — as long as they keep their phone on them and charged, which many people do for a long time. Pathbox uses that phone, for free.
When should I switch to a wearable device?
When the phone starts getting left at home, switched off, or forgotten on the charger. At that point a dedicated GPS wearable (a watch, pendant, or shoe insole) is the safer choice — it’s designed to stay on the person.
Isn’t it wrong to track someone with dementia?
Tracking for safety, with the involvement of the person and family while they can take part, is widely recommended by dementia organisations. The goal is freedom and safety, not surveillance.
Start free while a phone still works
If your parent still carries their phone, Pathbox costs nothing to try today.
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