GPS Trackers for Elderly
How to choose a GPS tracker for an older person
One button that gets used
Simplicity is the deciding factor. A device with one obvious button gets used; one that needs unlocking or navigating does not. Look for a large SOS button, a screen that is readable without glasses, and charging that is easy to manage: a dock is far more practical than a small plug, and several units here come with one.
Who gets the call
Check that an SOS press calls through several people in sequence rather than sending one message to one number, and that the unit can hold a two-way call, because being able to talk is worth more than a location pin. Then decide between a watch, which stays on the wrist, and a pendant or pocket unit, which is lighter but easier to leave on the bench.
Compare the types
 Pendant or pocket tracker |  Watch |  Bluetooth tag | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOS | One large button, calls a list in order | Button on the watch | No |
| Calling | Two-way calling | Two-way calling, video on some | No |
| Charging | Dock on several models | Dock or cable, check the listing | Replaceable cell, no charging |
| Extras | Health monitoring on some | Fall alerts on some, with medication reminders, heart rate and a removal alert | Finds keys, a bag or a walking frame |
| Suits | Someone who will not wear a watch | Someone who will keep it on | Things that get put down, not the person |
| See | Elderly trackers | GPS watches | Key finder tags |
Buying guides
GPS Tracker Buying Guide AustraliaHow it gets power decides everything
Personal trackers for kids and elderlyJump to this section of the GPS Tracker Buying Guide
SOS: alert against calling, and the other key specsJump to this section of the GPS Tracker Buying Guide
Related
GPS Trackers Personal GPS Trackers GPS Trackers for Kids Kids GPS Watches
Common questions
Is it waterproof?
Most are rated for showering and rain, which matters because that is where a lot of falls happen. Check the rating on each product.
How long does the battery last?
A few days between charges on most, depending on how often it reports; the listing gives the figure. A dock makes the daily charge a habit rather than a chore.
Does it need a SIM card?
The 4G units do: any Australian prepaid SIM with a small data allowance, or one included with the unit. The app and web tracking on these units carry no subscription. Bluetooth tags have no SIM and rely on phones passing nearby.
Can family see where they are?
Yes. Live location and the history go to the contacts added in the app, and a geofence alert can tell you when they leave home. Agree it with the wearer first; the device is for their safety and they should know what it does.
Do any of them detect falls?
Four of them do: the 4G GPS watch with video calling, the elderly tracker with the charging dock, the IPX7 watch with video calling and the same watch in white send an automatic fall alert to the app on top of the SOS button. The other watches and the pocket trackers rely on the SOS button. Check the listing for the model you are looking at, and treat a fall alert as a prompt for family to call rather than a monitored medical alarm.
Is it legal to track a child or a family member with a GPS tracker in Australia? Australian law
Yes, for a child or a dependent adult you are responsible for, and for yourself. Surveillance devices laws differ by state and territory, and tracking another adult without their consent is generally not allowed. These devices are built for the wearer's own safety: the SOS button, the calling and the location go to contacts the wearer or their guardian chooses, and a model with a microphone should only be used for conversations you are part of.