Wandering
One of the biggest risk factors for falls is wandering.
Understanding the Risk of Wandering
Wandering or becoming disoriented and lost is not uncommon among older adults. Statistics show that 60% of those with Alzheimer’s will wander in the early and mid stages of the disease, when a person is still physically healthy and able to walk, even for miles.
In addition, medications can cause older adults to become not only dizzy but also disoriented, making familiar venues or sites appear unfamiliar. In some older communities, urban development may change the appearance of retail shops or buildings, creating confusion and anxiety when environments no longer look the way a person remembers.
In the neurodivergent community, 25-50% of autistic adults will experience “elopement” – a situation where an autistic adult leaves a safe, supervised area without warning, posing significant safety risks to themselves including serious falls risk.
$50B
Annual U.S. health care costs from falls
60%
Of Alzheimer’s adults will wander
97%
Of family caregivers feel relief with GPS systems
Theora Care™ is a System Designed by Caregivers For Caregivers and For Those They Love
Whether it is balance issues, lapping or pacing anxiety associated with Alzheimer’s, sensory overload causing agitation, unfamiliar locales or disorders and medications that can affect mobility, wandering and becoming lost increase the risks for falling for millions of adults.
With our situational awareness system powered by AI and precise GPS technology, we increase quick recovery of a loved one who has wandered.
Theora Care has created the most advanced situational awareness platform using artificial intelligence (AI), neural networking, and precise GPS technology that can locate a lost loved one within 15 feet of their position.
Beyond location accuracy, the system includes hands-free, automatic communication with the person wearing the smartwatch. If the wearer cannot respond to a request, the system automatically alerts caregivers, cutting recovery time from hours or days to just minutes.
Within 15 feet accuracy
ThisRapid Response Creates Meaningful Benefits for Everyone Involved:
For the Wearer
For Caregivers
Family and professional caregivers gain peace of mind knowing they can instantly connect with their loved one—even if the person is unconscious or unable to respond
For Law Enforcement
Calls can be reduced by 50% if families locate their loved one first. Departments save an average of $13,500 per call when a wandering individual is found without police intervention
Time is Critical
9 in 10 adults will die if not found within the first 24 hours, according to the Alzheimer’s Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
Health Care Costs Reduced
$3,000+
Average ER costs per incidence
$10K–$20K
Overnight hospital stays due to injurious falls
Watch the Detroit News Story
See how Theora Care helped law enforcement find a man with Alzheimer’s who had wandered
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a person wandering or getting lost increase risk of falling?
As a person becomes lost, their stress response kicks in. This means the body goes into “fight or flight” mode with increased anxiety, fear and cognitive disruption. Heart rate and blood pressure surge, muscles tighten leading to shaking, pupils dilate to create tunnel vision and dry mouth, nausea and internal pain can occur. The body tries to overcome all this but may not see obstacles, may panic if approached and try to physically lash out. All of this causes balance issues that easily lead to falling.
I don’t want to panic if I cannot find my loved one and I want to give them the independence they want – but when should I become concerned if I cannot find them?
You know your loved one best and our Theora Care system lets you both devise a plan that works for you. For instance, our Safe Zones lets you set up a GPS “geofence” when permeated becomes cause for concern (and we can instantly locate them within 15 feet). Our Smart Fall Detection app contacts your loved one first and allows them to respond to the question “Have you fallen?” with yes or no (if they were just doing yoga or playing with the cat on the floor). Our hands-free, two-way communication also alerts you when your loved one does not respond meaning they could be injured, confused or unconscious. There are many benefits to the Theora Care system that keeps your loved one living independent while you help keep them safe.
Can my loved one change the Safe Zone without my knowledge?
Safe Zones cannot be changed by the wearer of the Theora Connect. Only members of the care team can add/change/delete Safe Zones. Safe Zones can be dynamically changed to meet changing requirements, like when on a vacation to monitor your loved one.