Problem Statement

People with dementia may wander away and become lost due to memory loss and disorientation, making it difficult for caregivers to ensure their safety.

Solution

Our solution is a wearable **GPS tracking device designed to improve the safety of dementia patients**. It uses the **NEO-6M GPS and ESP32** to determine and process the patient's location. The **SIM800L GSM module** sends location updates and alerts to a caregiver's phone. A **long-press SOS button

In Detail

## Our Proposed Solution – GPS-Based Dementia Patient Safety Tracker Our proposed solution is a **wearable GPS-based safety tracking device designed specifically for dementia patients**. Dementia can cause memory loss, confusion, and difficulty remembering familiar places, which can increase the risk of a patient wandering away or getting lost. Our device aims to provide caregivers with a simple and reliable way to monitor the patient's location and respond quickly during emergencies. The device is built around an **ESP32 microcontroller**, which acts as the main processing unit. A **NEO-6M GPS module** continuously obtains the patient's geographical location through latitude and longitude coordinates. The ESP32 processes this information and communicates with the caregiver through a **SIM800L GSM module**. One of the main features of our solution is the **Long-Press SOS Emergency Alert**. The patient can press and hold the dedicated push button for a few seconds to activate an emergency alert. The ESP32 recognizes the long press and obtains the patient's current GPS coordinates. The SIM800L then sends an SMS to a predefined caregiver's phone number containing an emergency message and the patient's location, which can be opened as a map location. The device can also use **geofencing** to define a safe area around the patient's home or another familiar location. If the patient's device moves outside the predefined safe zone, the system can notify the caregiver through GSM. This helps caregivers respond before the patient becomes difficult to locate. The system can additionally provide **periodic location updates**, allowing the caregiver to check the patient's recent location. An **LED indicator** can provide basic information about the device's operating or alert status. The device is powered by a **rechargeable Li-ion battery**, while the **TP4056 charging module** provides the charging circuit. Overall, our solution combines **GPS tracking, GSM communication, geofencing, and an emergency SOS mechanism** into a compact wearable device. The aim is to improve the safety and independence of dementia patients while giving caregivers a practical way to receive location information and emergency alerts when needed. ### Main Components * **ESP32** – Main controller and data processor * **NEO-6M GPS** – Obtains the patient's location * **SIM800L GSM** – Sends SMS alerts and location information * **Push Button** – Activates SOS through a long press * **LED + Resistor** – Device status indication * **Li-ion Battery** – Portable power source * **TP4056** – Battery charging module * **Breadboard & Jumper Wires** – Prototype connections * **Soldering equipment** – Used for the final assembled circuit