Reunite dementia tag vs GPS trackers: What families should know

When someone you love is living with dementia, the possibility of them leaving the house and becoming lost is a niggling worry always at the back of your mind. Most families start looking at options after a close call, or simply because the worry has become too much for them to ignore.

Two solutions come up again and again: the Reunite dementia tag and GPS tracking devices. They work very differently, and the right one for your situation depends on how dementia is affecting the person you care for and whether they’re likely to tolerate wearing a device.

At a glance

Difference between Reunite tags and GPS trackers: Reunite tags identify someone after they are found, while GPS trackers show their location in real time.

Reunite tags are low-cost: Usually around £5–£10 with no monthly fee.

GPS trackers cost more: Typically £100–£350 plus a monthly subscription.

The best option depends on risk: Including how likely the person is to wander and whether they will wear a device.

What is the Reunite dementia tag?

The Reunite dementia tag is a small identification tag with a unique code. The tag is registered with the Reunite Lost Person scheme, an extension of the national Reunite pet ID database, and has been adapted for vulnerable people. If the person wearing a tag is found by a member of the public or the police, the tag’s unique code can be used to access the carer’s contact details on the scheme’s database. Tags are usually worn as a wristband, attached to a keyring, or clipped to a bag.

A Reunite tag only helps once someone else has found the person as it doesn’t contain GPS tracking. Therefore, it can’t tell you where your loved one is when they’ve gone missing. The tag works well if they live in an area where neighbours or local shopkeepers know them. 

How much is a Reunite dementia tag?

A Reunite dementia tag is usually inexpensive. Most charities charge around £5 to £10 for the tag itself, often as a one-off cost with no monthly subscription, because the tag simply stores contact details rather than actively tracking the location.

What are GPS tags for dementia?

GPS tags are wearable devices that let you see where your loved one is. They come in several forms including wristbands, shoe insoles, pendant alarms, and small clip-on units. These GPS trackers for dementia will usually include a geofencing feature that triggers an alert when a person moves outside their home.

There are practical things to consider with dementia tracking devices. You’ll need to maintain a SIM card subscription (for location data), charge the device regularly, and accept that tracking data isn’t always reliable. GPS works well outdoors but tags can become unreliable inside buildings. This is less of an issue as when someone leaves home and travels on foot as outdoor accuracy will usually be enough to locate them.

How much is a GPS tracker?

GPS trackers for dementia usually involve two types of cost: the device itself and an ongoing subscription. The tracker typically costs between £100 and £350 depending on the model and features, while most providers charge a monthly SIM subscription of around £5 to £20 for location data and access to the tracking app. Some services also include optional monitoring or emergency support, which can increase the monthly fee

How is a Reunite tag different from a GPS tag?

A Reunite tag helps once someone else has found the person, while a GPS tag for dementia lets you locate your loved one using an app. Both are useful tools to help locate a person, but they don’t prevent the person leaving the house.

	Reunite dementia tag	GPS tracker
How it works	Unique ID code is linked to carer contact details on a secure database	Sends real-time location data (via mobile network and GPS satellite)
Who can use it	Police or members of the public who find the person	Family or carers via a phone app or website
Battery or power	None required	Rechargeable, typically every one to seven days, and varies by usage
Monthly cost	One-off registration fee	Ongoing SIM data subscription (costs vary by provider)
Tracks location	No	Yes
Works if person not yet found	No	Yes

When might an ID tag be enough?

An ID tag may be enough if your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, or if they tend to stay close to home when they wander. In cases like these, the Reunite lost person scheme works because most people will help if they find someone who seems confused. The visible tag gives them the information they need to contact you.

It is also more likely that a person will agree to wearing a tag compared to a GPS device, which they may refuse to wear, or remove it. A small tag on a wristband or keyring is harder to object to.

If you’re unsure whether a tracker is needed, consider whether previous incidents have involved them being found within a street or two, or further afield.

A GP or local dementia support service can help you think through the risks. While the Alzheimer’s Society’s find support page can point you towards specialist advice in your area.

When might a GPS tracker be more appropriate?

A GPS tracker for dementia may be a better option if your loved one has wandered before, or if they have been found a long way from home. The risks are higher when these incidents have happened at night, or they live alone. GPS tracking means you can locate them within minutes, rather than worrying for hours and waiting for someone to find them.

If you live far away, a GPS bracelet for dementia and other wearable trackers are especially useful because of the geofencing alerts. You get a notification the moment the person leaves a set area, before they can get lost or injured.

What if they refuse to wear the GPS tracker?

Some people with dementia may remove or refuse to wear a tracking device, especially if they don’t recognise what it is for.

Devices that look like normal watches or jewellery can be a better option. These are objects that will look familiar to them so the person with dementia is less likely to object to wearing them.

Ethical and legal considerations

Tracking a loved one requires consent. So you need to understand the legal implications of wandering dementia solutions before going this route. The legal framework in England and Wales is the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). This sets out how decisions should be made on behalf of someone who may not be able to make them for themselves. 

Where someone still has capacity, their wishes come first. They may agree to wear a tracker. But if they don’t, their decision should be respected even if it causes anxiety for you.

Where someone lacks capacity, which you can establish with a GP or specialist, any decision must be made in their best interests. You need to take into account what your loved one’s GP or previous conversations suggest they’d want. And from there, opt for the least restrictive option available.

Other safety options

Families often find that a combination of approaches works better than any solution or device. GPS trackers and ID tags are a good starting point. Other safety measures include the Herbert Protocol, ID bracelets and telecare alarms.

The Herbert Protocol is a police-led initiative. It lets families pre-register information about a person with dementia. You will include a recent photo, a physical description, and familiar places they might go to. If the person goes missing, police can act on that information straight away.

Some local areas also run Community Safe Return schemes. This is where local businesses and volunteers are trained to spot and assist someone before they’ve been reported as missing. 

In addition, ID bracelets with a name and contact number offer a low-tech free fallback. It is also possible to install telecare alarms that are connected to a monitoring centre. So if a person leaves home unexpectedly, you will get an alert. There are funded options available for telecare alarms that your local authority can advise on following a care needs assessment.

Home care support

As a loved one’s dementia progresses, it’s worth thinking about care support before a crisis forces you to make a decision.

A care worker who visits them on a regular basis is able to provide supervision and structure, reducing the risk of unsafe wandering. You can search for dementia home care in your area on homecare.co.uk to see providers and read reviews from other families.

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