PEARLAND, Texas, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A 73-year-old man
with Alzheimer's disease is now safely back in the care of his
family in the Pearland area thanks
to the quick action of the Pearland Police Department and the help of a
wearable locator device called EmSeeQ® that rapidly locates missing
individuals.
On Wednesday, California
resident James Seals, who was in
town to visit his daughter's family and meet his new infant
granddaughter, was out for his routine morning walk on his usual
route. When he didn't return in 10 minutes, his wife Cecilia became
concerned and set out to look for him.
"James has always loved walking and tends to become agitated if
he's not able to go out," Mrs. Seals said. "We usually only let him
go for a very short time – 10 minutes at most – and if he's not
back in that time, we go out after him."
Mr. Seals had become confused and veered off his regular route.
Unfamiliar with the area and unable to find his way back home, he
flagged down Pearland PD Officer Gabriel
Cortes, who was on patrol in the vicinity. Mr. Seals was
unable to provide an address or phone numbers for family or friends
in the area.
Officer Cortes discovered Mr. Seals' EmSeeQ bracelet, a
watch-like locator device that uses cellular signal triangulation
to quickly and accurately locate individuals who become lost or
wander off - a common situation with Alzheimer's patients, as well
as children with autism who are prone to running away. Officer
Cortes asked dispatchers to call the toll-free number on the
bracelet and they were immediately connected with EmFinders, makers
of the life-saving system. EmFinders' operators were able to
contact Mrs. Seals right away and provide her with her husband's
exact location. Mr. Seals was reunited his family within 30 minutes
of being discovered missing.
"The officer on the scene was unfamiliar with the EmSeeQ device,
but I'm so grateful they were able to contact EmFinders to alert me
to his location," Mrs. Seals said. "It all happened so quickly. He
wasn't gone for more than 25 minutes total, which seems like a very
long time when your loved one is missing, but it's nothing compared
to previous situations we've been in."
Mr. Seals has a history of wandering off, which is what prompted
Mrs. Seals to purchase the EmSeeQ system, consisting of a secure,
unobtrusive bracelet and a round-the-clock location service that
carries a monthly fee. Just a few months ago, Mr. Seals disappeared
for nine hours, having walked from Long
Beach, Calif., where the Seals had been visiting his
brother, an astounding 21 miles to Hermosa Beach. The Seals were fortunate he was
recovered without injury by the Long
Beach Police Department, who recommended the EmSeeQ system
to Mrs. Seals.
The next day she ordered the device. They went several weeks
without incident until about three weeks ago when Mr. Seals walked
away again, this time from his own home while Mrs. Seals was away
for a doctor's appointment. In less than 35 minutes from the time
she discovered and reported him missing, Mr. Seals was back at home
in his wife's care.
"The EmSeeQ system has already proven itself to be a real
lifesaver for us, and I highly recommend it to anyone who cares for
an individual with Alzheimer's," Mrs. Seals said. "It definitely
allows my husband to maintain his independence and relieves some of
the worry I have about him becoming lost."
Wandering behavior occurs in about 60 percent of individuals
with Alzheimer's and is a source of constant worry and stress among
caregivers who fear letting their loved one out of their sight for
even just a moment. Each year, numerous elopement cases involving
Alzheimer's patients end in serious injury due to falls or exposure
to the elements, or even death. Some go missing for weeks or months
at a time, often to a tragic conclusion.
Rose Carter, marketing director
for EmFinders, says this most recent incident with Mr. Seals is a
somewhat an unconventional, albeit completely effective, use of the
EmSeeQ technology. Typically, the device is engaged when a
caregiver reports the individual missing and contacts EmFinders to
activate the device. The bracelet then places a cellular call to
the local 911 emergency response center, which uses the nationwide
U-TDOA triangulation technology to accurately determine the
wearer's location.
"It's really intended to be activated on demand, but the fact
that Officer Cortes discovered Mr. Seals bracelet and called our
operations center is definitely a blessing," Carter said.
"Regardless of the methods used, we're very relieved to know that
Mr. Seals is safe. This technology is specifically designed to
provide that added layer of security and peace of mind, which it
has on several occasions for Mr. and Mrs. Seals."
Because of its nationwide coverage, EmSeeQ works anywhere there
is a cell phone signal, even inside buildings or in environments
that would typically interfere with standard GPS locators. The
system has been used to locate and rescue numerous individuals in
California, New York, Texas and Virginia, allowing them to be safely returned
within minutes to the care of their loved ones.
The wristwatch-style EmSeeQ device is discrete, yet secure,
providing much-needed and affordable peace of mind to caregivers.
The EmSeeQ bracelet is available in two different styles: a
watchband-type device with a traditional buckle, and a clasp-style
that requires two hands to remove for added security. The location
service costs just $25 per month,
less than the cost of most typical cellular telephone services.
For more information about the EmSeeQ device, visit
www.emfinders.com.
About EmFinders
EmFinders, based in Frisco,
TX, is a new technology company that has developed a device
and subscription service for locating people with Alzheimer's or
other impaired adults and children who wander and become lost. The
wearable device and locator service uses advanced cellular
technology to locate lost individuals, even if they wander inside a
building, under a structure or just about anywhere. The device
becomes activated on remote command and the locator service works
in coordination with emergency responders. EmFinders is a privately
held subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the
Liberty Capital group (NASDAQ: LCAPA), which owns a broad range of
electronic retailing, media, communications and entertainment
businesses. For more information, visit
www.emfinders.com.
SOURCE EmFinders