The 7 Best GPS Tracker Watches For Elderly Parents

If your elderly parents suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia, or if they’re simply in poor health, it can be stressful.

You may feel worried about their safety or constantly stressing that they’ll wander off, fall, or suffer from a heart attack or stroke when no one is around.

That’s why GPS tracking watches for the elderly are becoming so popular.

These GPS devices can not only show you your elderly parents exact location, some even allow for calls, texts, emergency SOS, video conferencing, and health monitoring, too.

We’ve reviewed the top GPS tracker watches for elderly parents based on features, reliability, support, and reputation. These are our top 7 picks. 

1. Theora Connect – ALZ Store GPS Watch Recommendation

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The Theora Connect GPS is the industry standard for elderly loved ones, especially those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s even endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Store as their recommended GPS tracking watch for Alzheimer’s patients.

This watch is specifically designed to keep your loved one safe while still giving them the freedom to live their life and stay active.

The reason so many families, caregivers, and patients love this watch is that gives families peace of mind with life-saving features like:

• SOS mode for emergency calls
• Two-way calling to check in and make sure everything is OK (it automatically answers so your loved ones don’t have to fight with the watch to answer the call!)
• Location tracking from a simple dashboard (you can even share it with law enforcement if they ever wander)
• Geo-fencing so you can set up safe zones like “home” or “Saturday night bingo”. If they ever wander - like people suffering dementia often do - you’ll be notified
• Fall alerts

But it does all that while still letting the patient maintain their independence and not feel like “they’re being babied” or “chained up and not allowed to leave home”.

Your loved one will get all of these helpful features to stay healthy and maintain a sense of freedom:

• A step counter
• Fitness goal setting
• A weather app to plan their day

One thing that really sets this watch apart from other GPS watches is that it clips right onto the wearer and can’t be removed without a key. That way, it can’t be pulled off or slip off while your loved ones are out walking. 

The biggest downside here is that it’s not cheap. This isn’t “just a GPS watch”. It’s the #1 product in the entire elderly care industry. You pay for what you get, but you get A LOT. A personalized app, customer support, GPS tracking services, fitness features, geo-fencing - you name it, it’s got it. It’s worth every penny, though. How much is the safety of your loved one and peace of mind worth to you?

2. Osmile ED1000 – Best GPS Watch With SOS

The Osmile ED1000 is the ideal senior care smartwatch for you if you want extra clear audio and video capabilities.

In the event of an emergency, it’ll let you take a picture of the wearer’s surroundings to help locate them and even let you video call them to check on their well-being. You can also voice call directly from the watch if that’s a better option. In an emergency, you’ll need as many options as you could possibly get.

If they’re ever in trouble, they can just press the SOS button and it’ll immediately contact up to 3 emergency contacts stored in the watch.

One more thing we liked was the blood pressure monitor. That way, you can see how the wearer is doing in real time and contact them if anything feels off.

Overall, it’s a solid watch with accurate GPS, helpful features, and an SOS button that automatically calls close contacts in the event of an emergency. It’s definitely worth the price.

3. MorePro – Best Senior Watch For Heart Rate & Blood Pressure Monitoring

The MorePro activity tracker is a sports watch. Not a GPS tracker.

But we just couldn’t help but put it on this list.

Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first.

The MorePro fitness tracker allows for calls and texts, so you can always check in on family members when you need to. It does not show their location in real time, though.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way.

If you want your parents or other elderly loved ones to have a fitness watch that tracks their steps, blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep patterns, this watch is perfect. It’s the ideal senior health monitoring watch.

They can take it on walks, hikes, swimming, jogs in the park, or even to the gym, and they’ll get a 365-degree overview of their health and where they could improve.

If there’s an active senior in your life, this would be the perfect gift for them.

4. AirTag – Smallest Personal GPS For Seniors

Next up is a fairly controversial gadget that’s normally meant to track laptops, keys, phones, or bags: The Apple AirTag.

Can it be used to track an elderly loved one?

Maybe…

While Apple AirTags are great for tracking things within a small radius around the house or neighborhood, they aren’t so great over long distances.

Here’s why…

These location tracking devices don’t have their own GPS connection. They rely on the Bluetooth network to obtain an object’s location.

In other words, there needs to be a wifi connection or Apple device with its own data connection nearby in order to pick up a signal.

That means, if your loved one is out roaming the street with no Apple devices around, you won’t be able to see where they are until they come within range of a device.

That being said, if your loved one is in good shape physically and mentally, and they aren’t much of a “wander risk”, then there’s no harm in using an AirTag to just keep tabs on them. 

They’re pretty cheap, and if you already have an iPhone, you won’t need to pay any other costs. Just buy the location tracking device, sync it to your iPhone, and you’re good to go.

However, we don’t recommend this for serious senior care or emergency situations.

5. Apple Watch Ultra – Most Durable GPS Tracker Watch For Seniors

The Apple Watch Ultra is the ultimate GPS watch for seniors who love the great outdoors. If your loved one loves walking, hiking, running, or playing sports in their golden years, this is the best watch that money can buy.

Here’s what sets it apart of other smart watches:

Precision GPS: It’s one of the only sport watches available with precision GPS that works well in urban environments. They will see a detailed map of exactly where they are and where they’ve been, so they’ll never get lost.

Advanced Metrics: Heart rate zones, custom workouts, distance, pace, route maps, and even a built-in compass for navigation.

Lightweight and Comfortable: They’ll barely even feel it on their wrist. 

If you want a watch that’s full of great outdoor activity features and still provides GPS connectivity, this is the best that money can buy.

Just be warned that this is NOT a senior care watch. It’s not meant for emergencies or real-time location tracking.

6. Amazfit GTR 3 – Best Fitness Tracker Watch For the Elderly

The AMAZFIT GTR 3 is a great fitness tracker for the elderly because it’s simple to use and helps them stay on top of their health. They get to stay active without worrying about getting lost too, because of the GPS capability. 

The watch has an easy-to-read display and tracks everything from heart rate to sleep quality, making it perfect for seniors who want to keep an eye on their wellbeing.

Here are a few things we love about this watch:

• Heart Rate Monitoring: It keeps track of the wearer’s heart rate throughout the day, so they can see how hard they exercised and what type of shape they’re in.
• Sleep Tracking: The watch tracks sleep patterns, which lets you see how much deep sleep they get and if there are any sleep issues.
• Step Counting: It encourages gentle exercise by tracking daily steps.

The only issue here is that it’s a bit of overkill, and the battery doesn’t last very long. It’s not really a “senior care watch”, either. It’s more for sport tracking.

7. Medical Guardian Freedom Smartwatch – Best With 2-Way Voice Messaging

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The Medical Guardian Freedom senior GPS watch is a senior care watch with a full suite of helpful tools. Including:

• Location tracking
• Two-way voice calling (excellent for seniors who can’t read small letters or type)
• An emergency button
• Planning apps for medication and daily activities
• A step counter

What we like most about it is the reputation behind the brand. Medical Guardian is one of the largest and most reputable senior technology companies in the world, and their reputation is immaculate.

If you need a watch that will let your loved one stay safe, active, and in touch with you and medical providers, this is the perfect option.

Just be warned that it is a bit expensive, since you need to pay a subscription fee.

Key Features For GPS Tracker Watch For Elderly

Wearable GPS trackers are powerful wandering prevention tools that allow caregivers to track the route their patients have taken using global positioning technology. But what other features might they look for in a tracker for dementia or memory care patients?

We created this section on key features for GPS trackers so you can learn how to evaluate each of the products we reviewed on your own.

Key Feature	Description
Fall Detection	This feature alerts you to when the wearer has fallen, which could help save their lives.
SOS Buttons	Built-in buttons on GPS watches allow seniors to call for help, sounding alarms and notifying first responders and contacts.
Geofencing	Caregivers can set safe zone boundaries on a map. If they ever leave these areas, you’ll be alerted.
Home Monitoring System	Systems with door contact sensors and smart locks offer extra safety, alerting caregivers when someone leaves the house.
Live Locations	Real-time tracking updates frequently to provide accurate locations. Shorter-wave frequencies, like Bluetooth on Apple AirTag, offer precise location tracking.
Medical Alerts	Fitness trackers like Apple Watch Ultra and AmazFit Bip 3 Pro have built-in medical alerts for stress levels, blood pressure, and medication reminders.

Some images in this article,”Best GPS Tracker Watch For Elderly” were made using AI

5 Key Wandering Prevention Tips For Seniors

Portable GPS trackers give concerned family members and caregivers accurate locations of wandering seniors. This is a good thing! However, wandering prevention means more than simply investing in a personal GPS tracker. If your loved one is showing signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia, consider the following home care tips:

• Wearable Identification: The National Institute of Aging suggests you always have them carry ID or wear a medical bracelet. If they get lost and can’t communicate, an ID shows their illness and where they live​.
• Improved Home Security: Install locks and alarms. Consider keyed deadbolts or additional locks placed high or low on doors, and door knob covers​.
• Hiding Trigger Items: Keep shoes, keys, and other departure signs out of sight. This reduces the temptation for them to wander​.
• Safe Environment Management: Encourage activities in a safe, controlled environment. This includes scheduled, supervised outdoor activities and safe indoor areas​.
• Community Awareness: According to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the best things to do is inform neighbors and local police about the individual’s tendency to wander. Sharing a recent photo or video can be beneficial.

Elderly GPS tracking watches are great for senior safety, but being aware of triggers and improving home security is also important when it comes to senior home care.

Best GPS Tracker Watch For Elderly- FAQs

Are Elderly GPS Tracking Watches Safe?

Yes, elderly GPS tracking watches are safe and reliable. However, there are a few things you need to watch out for. For example, some people may have skin sensitivities, so you’ll need a wristband that doesn’t cause skin irritation. Another issue to look out for is accuracy. Some tracking watches have poor connectivity, so you might not see an accurate location on the map.

Do All Senior Watches Have Monthly Subscription Fees?

No, not every GPS tracking watch requires a monthly subscription. Models like the family of AmazFit devices require a paired smartphone to be in the area to update locations or track fitness metrics. Any stand-alone GPS-tracking watch, however, needs an activated SIM card to connect to a cellular network.

Can I Monitor My Elderly Parents From A Distance?

Yes, you can monitor your elderly parents from a distance using a GPS-enabled smartwatch. These devices have a GPS device located inside of them that shows you the exact position of your elderly parents anywhere in North America. You just need to buy the watch and download the app. Then, you can monitor their location from a distance.

Want to learn more about senior safety? If so, we recommend you check out the Alzheimer’s Association,Dementia Society of America, or the California Department of Aging.

Images in this article, “GPS Tracker Watch For Elderly” were created with AI to enhance reader experience.