When someone you love has dementia, safety becomes part of your daily focus. Whether it’s finding lost keys or worrying they’ve stepped outside unnoticed, even a small tool can offer a sense of relief.

Bluetooth trackers for dementia wandering, like Apple AirTags, Tile, and Samsung SmartTags, can help caregivers keep tabs on items and loved ones. They aren’t designed to track people directly, but when used wisely, they can be a valuable part of a layered safety plan.

What Is a Bluetooth Tracker?

Bluetooth trackers are small, battery-powered devices that send out a low-energy signal. If that signal is picked up by a nearby smartphone (like an iPhone), the tracker’s location is updated in a companion app.

Common brands:

  • Apple AirTag
  • Tile Pro or Mate
  • Chipolo ONE
  • Samsung SmartTag

They’re affordable, discreet, and simple to use—but they aren’t real-time GPS trackers. That’s why it’s important to know how and when they work best.

How Bluetooth Trackers Work

  • Bluetooth Range: Most have a practical range of about 30–100 feet, depending on walls, metal, or interference.
  • Location Updates: The tracker’s location is shared when a nearby compatible phone picks up its signal. In populated areas, this can happen every few minutes. In rural areas, hours may pass without an update
  • Not GPS: Bluetooth trackers can’t follow someone in motion. You’ll only see their last known location when a nearby phone detects the tracker
  • Phone Ecosystem: Some devices only work with iPhones (AirTag), while others support Android as well (Tile, Chipolo)

When Bluetooth Trackers Help

Bluetooth trackers work best for:

  • Finding Misplaced Items: Purses, keys, hearing aids, or glasses that go missing around the house or while out
  • Providing Clues During Wandering: If your loved one leaves with a tagged item, it might give you a “last seen” location
  • Dementia Support: Bluetooth trackers can be part of a layered tech strategy

Limitations You Should Know

Bluetooth trackers aren’t a full solution for dementia wandering. Here’s why:

  • They Depend on Other Phones. No devices nearby? No update.
  • They Don’t Show Movement. You’ll only see the last time the tag was picked up, not where the person is going towards now
  • Updates Can Be Delayed. Especially in rural areas, quiet neighborhoods, or fast-moving situations (like being in a car).
  • Signal Interference Happens. If the tag is placed inside an RFID-blocking wallet or a metal container, it most likely will not work.

Smart Placement Tips

Where you put the tracker matters, especially for comfort and signal strength:

  • Sew into jacket linings or bags (non-metal, non-RFID).
  • Place inside shoes or clipped to belt loops.
  • If placing in a purse, have a second tracker in the event you’re loved one doesn’t take it with them.
  • Always test your placement to make sure it’s detectable in real-world settings.

What About Consent and Legality?

Even though your intent is safety, placing a tracking device on someone may have legal implications.

  • Consent is key. If your loved one can understand, ask them directly and document the agreement.
  • In later stages of dementia, guardianship or Power of Attorney may be needed to authorize tracking.
  • Laws vary by state. Some treat location tracking as surveillance. Always check your state’s rules or consult an elder law advisor.
  • Anti-stalking alerts exist. For example, AirTags alert others if a tag is moving with them for hours. This can confuse your loved one—or prompt them to throw it away.

How to Build a Safer Plan

Bluetooth trackers are helpful, but not enough on their own. Consider layering them with:

  • Door and motion alarms – to prevent wandering in the first place
  • Real-time GPS trackers – for ongoing location tracking
  • Cameras – for quick indoor check-ins
  • Routine check-ins – scheduled calls or visits can go a long way

Bottom Line for Caregivers

Bluetooth trackers offer a simple, low-cost way to reduce daily stress, especially when it comes to finding lost items or tracking last known locations. But they have real limits. They work best as part of a layered safety plan that includes your knowledge of your loved one’s habits, helpful tools, and a clear understanding of what each device can and can’t do.

Ready to Go Deeper?

Get Tools, Tech & Tips in Your Inbox