My BIL has it set up that way with his wife. It may be good only to a hundred feet or so. But that is good enough to find the store they are in, but if they are in a big store it may be impossible to pinpoint just what department they are in.

You have to set it up on both phones, so I suspect that if you can find your mom, she can find you. But then if she is not that tech savy, she may never learn/remember how to find you!

I am not sure what it is called. Contact your phone company and ask them about it.

I know you can do this with iphones. Both phones have to use the same itunes account. Then you download the app for find my phone. It will track the phone anywhere as long as the battery isn't dead. Using the same account is the key. There is no charge for this other than cell phone service.

Another trick is to program the ICE (in case of emergency) contact on your phone. Older phones had this right on top. The newer smart phones don't seem to have it as clearly. So add a contact ICE. First responders will always look for this and many people will also. You can also add favorite phone numbers and add info there.

It also helps to put their phone and address in their wallet next to their license or ID. Do it on red or bright yellow paper so it stands out.

Any of the smart phones are capable of utilizing GPS tracking software. Most of the free apps don't work too well; I've tried them and they just didn't work. Not sure if the paying software is better; I haven't tried those.

I know you have to set up the software to your phone and your mothers for you to track where she is.

I appreciate your tips here. It has to be looked into for my sister especially.
My Mom is staying close to home now. If she is lose and gets away, it is by shopping cart in a store.Most stores know her. Plus the cart beeps when backing up. Of course you know she has to back up because she cant see well and gets stuck against shelving or displays that are in the isle. LOL

P

The Iphone are very easy to use. And you can get older ones now much cheaper. Of course mom would have to keep the phone on her and charged. I have a friend who used this to find her daughter's stolen phone and it lead the police right to the house.

Does your mom have an emergency contact number in her wallet?

I have seen an ad on TV for a gadget that people wear around their neck and they are connected to a group of people that take the call. She can let them know where she is, what the problem is, etc.. and they will get help to her right away. Of course I can't think of the name of it but I will keep my eyes open for it and let you know. Hugs GB

Ok. This brings back a funny memory for me. Before we moved my Mom to live with us and I was living with her temporarily she had this fun little trick she liked to pull.

When we were out shopping she would wait until my back was turned for a second and runnoft and I could never find her!

I soon learned to either never take my eyes off of her, or to stay put and just finish the shopping until the PA came on to tell me where to find her!

They do become childlike. My mom decided she needed to go food shopping today aka restock her liquor supply. So she makes up the story of getting her hair cut, when she went only 3 weeks ago, and takes off on her own. She called me last night drunk off her ass telling me how much she loves root beer!! OK mom we know it was just root beer... I can laugh because she made it home in one piece.

Tigg, that's a riot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got my mother to drink one Pina Colada last summer, they served it in a pineapple. She was sucking away on that straw like there was no tomorrow. Funniest thing ever; I had to keep telling her to slow down! She was the nicest person after that drink....

I wish I could get her to have a drink once in awhile; she'd be a much nicer person... lol

My Mom likes the occasional screwdriver when we go out to eat. Last time that happened Hubbie and I ordered bloody Marys and told the bar tender to make Mom's screwdriver VERY weak.

Well I watched her pour and noticed she put a full shot in mom's glass!

I thought, Oh well and let her start drinking it. She sucked it down in one gulp and proceeded to rave on about the potato soup like it was the best in the world! It was not but she enjoyed herself.

Looked and felt terrible the next day though so we no longer encourage her imbibing! =)

Time to break out the pineapples ... lol. Last week we toured some AL near me. I was surprised to see that the IL had a bar and the AL had happy hour. Thank goodness they realize that drinking is a social experience and shouldn't be automatically cut out of people's lives. In the AL they monitor how much they drink and make substitutions for people who have medical conflicts. But they all participate.

Welp, my mother's pina colada days are over with too now since she's on warfarin. Damn, she was the nicest, sweetest elderly person when she was a bit tipsy that day.....

I think that's a great idea Tigg, my FIL has a drink every night and he's no worse for the ware! I don't see anything wrong with them drinking as long as it's not an issue with medications or balance problems. It's actually funny to see them lighten up a bit with their problems.

There was a bar at one of the al's we looked at too. I agree ppl should not be denied the experience as long as no contraindications.

No bar where my Dad lives but he can have a cocktail every evening. Just have to have an order and byob.

My Mom cut back on drinking because of meds too. So, it takes only a little to get a buzz. It helps in the evening some days. She stays happier and enjoys her tv time better.

I cant drink much because of meds either. Plus, I don't feel it and worry about making myself sick.