11 June 2008
Keeping Tabs
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The federal government says safety is a priority in its plans to make nursing homes report all residents who go missing. Homes would be required to notify the department as well as the police when a resident is missing without explanation.
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot is also looking at the use of medi-tag bracelets. The bracelet would be engraved with a symbol indicating the condition of its wearer, but the proposal could go further. GPS tracking devices are being looked at for people with Alzheimer's disease following a pilot program in Western Australia. In that study, satellite tracking and internet software were used by family members to keep tabs on dementia sufferers. So when do issues of personal safety overtake civil rights?
Guests
Henry Brodaty
Professor of the Aged Care Mental Health Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales
Sue Field
New South Wales public trustee fellow in Elder Law, University of Western Sydney
Sheridan Read
Project co-ordinator, Alzheimers Australia
Rod Young
Chief Executive, Aged Care Association of Australia,
Further Information
Alzheimer's Australia research
Centre for Education and Research on Ageing
Presenter
Paul Barclay
Story Researcher and Producer
Debra McCoy
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