LONDON - The Alzheimer's Society of UK has recommended that dementia sufferers in the country be issued tracking devices if patients agree to the proposals. Dementia patients typically wander off by themselves and tagging them could be useful in tracking them down. However ethical concerns abound over the issue.
It is estimated that some 40 percent of dementia patients who wander off get lost causing distress to their families as well as to themselves. the charity said that using electronic tagging could allow patients to be free of the worry that they may wander off and help their families as well.
"There is a careful balance to strike between empowering people and restricting their movement and this technology can certainly never be used as an alternative for high-quality dementia care," said Neil Hunt, the chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society.
Science minister Malcolm Wicks had first recommended in April that electronic tagging be used to allow families of dementia sufferers to worry about their whereabouts.
However critics feel the system could be misused as well. Dr Richard Nicholson, editor of the Bulletin of Medical Ethics said on Radio 5 Live, "The problem with this is that you could see second-class care - using it as a way of making life easier for carers rather than as a way of making life safer or more pleasant for the person with Alzheimer's."
The Alzheimer's Society has also recommended that any decision to use tagging must be made with the patients' consent in the early stages of the disease.
