Living with Buddi

Introduction of the ‘Buddi’ Global Positioning System (GPS) in the Newcastle district of West Midlands has resulted in innovative ways of caring for people who wander.

Introduced just under a year ago, the system is making a positive contribution to the lives of users, promoting independence and control.

The Buddi is a small tracking devise that allows carers to find and locate someone wearing it.
GPS technology calculates the person’s location and uses the mobile phone system to inform the carer of the individual’s whereabouts.

The council provides Buddie as a stand alone device or as part of wider care packages consisting of a range of assistive technology.

The following stories illustrate its use.

ALAN AND HIS BUDDI
Alan lives alone within sheltered accommodation in the Newcastle District; he is supported by his sister and also uses the care call system in the event of emergencies.

Alan experiences frontal lobe dementia, his ability to recall ‘trips out’ into the community is limited. He was given a Buddi following several incidences of wandering which caused his sister extreme anxiety when he failed return home in time and showed no recollection of his trip.

Efforts were made to resolve the problem by attempting to divert Alan to mainstream or community based services, with no success. When the opportunity arose Alan would catch the bus, walk for miles or visit areas he knew prior to his illness.

Following introduction to Buddi, Alan continues to go out and his movements are tracked. This allows him to remain independent and keep fit. It also reassures his sister who can locate him and return him home safely.

GRAEME AND HIS BUDDI
Graeme lives with his wife in the Newcastle district and experiences dementia that manifests in short term memory loss.

He used to be a postman, and as a result continues to walk along his former delivery route. He rarely wanders away from this path, but is unable to recall his steps when he gets back home. This caused his wife great anxiety.

By using the Buddi it was possible to identify his patterns of behaviour. When his wife found out where he was going she was keen for him to continue his walks to keep his routines intact, stimulate his memory and help keep him fit.

Graeme’s Buddi has the additional ‘man down’ facility which alerts the control centre if he falls.
The device is used as part of a varied care plan consisting of day and respite care that supports his independence and provides relief for his carer.

LUCY AND HER BUDDI
Lucy lives alone and is visited on a daily basis by her son who is her main carer. She has dementia and is prone to falls.

Lucy has a range of assistive technology in her home such as a fire and smoke detector, falls detector, door sensors, bed sensors, care call and the Buddi system.

Her son was concerned about regular occurrences of wandering during the day and evenings. On one occasion she had walked several miles from her home in Chesterton back to an area she had previously been familiar with. Lucy was unable to return home as she has no recall nor the ability to find her way back independently.

The Buddi used in Lucy’s care plan currently alerts the carer when she ventures from the property.
As her physical health deteriorates and her tendency to wander and fall increases, the Buddi will alert her carer who can accompany her if she wants to go out, or intervene if she wants to wander when it’s late or the weather is bad.

The Buddi gives Lucy choice and independence and allows her to remain in her own home, with reduced risk.

Lucy’s social worker Glenn Butler (Newcastle Wellbeing Older Person Team) says that without the use of assistive technology Lucy would certainly not have remained at home for so long.

Contact: Karen Nixon, Case Manager, Newcastle Wellbeing Disability Team, telephone: 01782 428046