❸Location Trackers
Tools for Peace of Mind: “Where Are They?” and “Where Did I Leave It?”
For people living with dementia, two common concerns are getting lost and misplacing important belongings. With the help of GPS and IoT devices, families can prepare for these “what if” situations by creating a support system that allows them to respond quickly and calmly when needed. These technologies provide both safety and reassurance—for the person and their loved ones.
Tile is a compact smart tag developed and sold by the U.S.-based company Tile, designed to help users keep track of important belongings like keys, wallets, or bags. By attaching a Tile to an item and connecting it to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, users can make the tag ring or view its last known location on a map.
In dementia care settings, Tile is especially helpful for preventing misplacement of essential items during outings and for recognizing early signs of wandering. For example, attaching a Tile to a keychain or bag allows family members to check its location through the app, offering greater peace of mind. Additionally, Tile’s crowd-sourced network feature can update the item's location using other users’ smartphones—enabling a broader and more responsive safety net.
Easy to set up and unobtrusive in daily life, Tile is a highly practical IoT tool that supports everyday safety and reassurance for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Mimamori Iru! is a GPS-enabled insole-based monitoring service provided by IRU Co., Ltd., designed specifically for the safety of older adults. The insole contains a built-in GPS device and can be used simply by placing it inside a shoe—no special operations or user actions are required. This allows for natural, non-intrusive monitoring by having the individual wear their shoes as usual.
Family members can check the person’s real-time location from a smartphone or computer, and features such as geofencing alerts (notifications when the wearer leaves a designated area) and movement history tracking support early intervention in case of wandering. Because it is built into an insole, the device is difficult to lose, remains discreet, and provides continuous, respectful monitoring without disrupting daily life.
Already in use at both home and care facilities, Mimamori Iru! is a practical and compassionate technology solution that helps reduce anxiety for families and caregivers while supporting the dignity and independence of the individual.