Welcome to the Tranquil GPS Watch Glossary, your essential resource for understanding the key terms and concepts related to healthcare technology designed for elder care and independent living support.
Whether you are a caregiver, healthcare professional, or family member, this glossary provides clear, user-friendly definitions of terms connected to GPS tracking, safety devices, and technologies that empower seniors, including those with cognitive impairments like dementia, to live more safely and confidently.
Use this guide to understand better how these technologies work, what features matter most, and how to make informed choices that enhance your loved ones’ well-being and peace of mind.
In this glossary, you’ll discover:
- The fundamentals of GPS tracking and location monitoring
- Important safety features like SOS calls, fall detection, and safe zone alerts
- Caregiver-centric technologies and support systems
- Terms related to cognitive impairment, caregiving, and elder-focused health tech
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) refer to the basic daily tasks and self-care activities individuals perform to maintain their health and well-being. These essential activities include eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and moving or transferring from one place to another.
ADLs are fundamental for independent living, and healthcare professionals often use the ability or difficulty in performing them to measure an individual’s functional status, especially in elder care or for people with disabilities or cognitive impairments.
Alzheimer’s Care
Alzheimer’s care refers to the specialized support and management provided to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
This care aims to enhance quality of life through medical treatment, cognitive therapy, behavioral interventions, and supportive environments. It often involves caregivers, healthcare professionals, and assistive technologies that promote safety, independence, and dignity.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder and the most common cause of dementia, characterized by gradual impairments in memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform daily activities. It involves the buildup of abnormal protein deposits, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to brain cell death and brain shrinkage over time.
Alzheimer’s disease is commonly categorized into five stages:
| Stage | Changes | Key Symptoms and Characteristics |
| Preclinical Stage | Brain changes occur years before symptoms appear—no noticeable cognitive impairment | Imaging/testing detected the presence of amyloid plaques and tau tangles; there was no functional decline |
| Early Stage (Mild) | Mild but noticeable symptoms; person mainly functions independently | Forgetfulness, word-finding difficulty, minor planning/organizing challenges, family/friends notice changes |
| Middle Stage (Moderate) | More pronounced cognitive impairment; growing dependence on caregiver support. | Increased memory loss, confusion about time/place, difficulty managing finances/daily tasks, personality changes |
| Late Stage (Severe) | Severe cognitive decline; complete dependence on caregivers for personal care; physical symptoms may appear | Loss of communication, inability to recognize loved ones, swallowing difficulties, and mobility issues |
Assistive Devices
Assistive devices are tools, equipment, or technologies designed to help individuals with disabilities, chronic conditions, or age-related impairments perform daily activities and improve their functional independence.
Assistive devices may include mobility aids (e.g., walkers, canes), hearing aids, communication tools, and wearable technologies such as GPS tracking watches that support safety and autonomy.
Auto-Answer
Auto-answer is a feature in devices like phones or GPS watches that automatically accepts calls without user action. It benefits seniors or those with cognitive impairments, allowing caregivers to check in remotely.
Speakerphone can be enabled for two-way communication, even if the wearer can’t respond. The feature is often customizable to limit calls to approved contacts, enhancing privacy and reducing unwanted calls.
Care Management System
Care management systems are software tools that coordinate and improve care delivery for seniors or those with chronic conditions. These systems help caregivers, healthcare providers, and families manage health activities, appointments, medications, and safety alerts.
Elder care may include location tracking, emergency alerts, and communication tools to support a senior’s safety and independence. The goal is to enable timely support, better outcomes, and informed caregiving.
Caregiver Support
Caregiver Support includes resources, services, and tools for those caring for elderly or disabled loved ones. This may involve training, respite care, counseling, financial help, and caregiving tools like scheduling systems or monitoring devices. It helps reduce stress, prevent burnout, and improve care quality.
In elder care technology, support often includes real-time alerts, communication tools, and care management systems to enhance coordination and peace of mind.
Charging Dock
A charging dock is a specialized station or device designed to provide secure storage, power supply, and management for rechargeable medical or wearable devices. It contributes to efficient healthcare delivery by minimizing device downtime, ensuring devices are fully functional when needed, and supporting infection control and workflow optimization in clinical or home settings.
Chronic Disease
Chronic disease refers to a persistent or long-lasting health condition, typically lasting one year or more and requiring ongoing medical attention or limiting activities of daily living. Chronic diseases are generally characterized by slow progression, complex causes, and no definitive cure, although they can often be managed with treatment.
Common examples include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and arthritis. These conditions affect multiple areas of life and often require continuous care to control symptoms and prevent complications.
Cognitive Impairment
Cognitive impairment refers to a decline in mental functions such as memory, reasoning, attention, language, and problem-solving that is greater than expected for a person’s age but does not always significantly interfere with daily functioning.
Cognitive impairment can range from mild to severe and may affect an individual’s ability to carry out everyday tasks independently. Recognizing cognitive impairment is crucial for early intervention, care planning, and support.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity in healthcare involves protecting systems, patient data, and devices from cyberattacks and data breaches. With the growing use of digital tools and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), strong cybersecurity is essential for maintaining patient privacy, data integrity, and care safety.
Dementia
Dementia is a general term describing symptoms characterized by a decline in memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life and independent function.
It results from various diseases or brain injuries that cause abnormal brain changes. The symptoms affect thinking skills, behavior, feelings, and relationships. The most typical framework divides dementia into three main stages:
| Stage | Changes | Key Symptoms and Characteristics |
| Early Stage (Mild Dementia) | Mild but noticeable symptoms; independence is primarily maintained | Memory lapses, word-finding difficulty, minor planning/organizing challenges, family/caregiver notice symptoms |
| Middle Stage (Moderate Dementia) | More pronounced symptoms; increasing need for caregiver support | Increased confusion, forgetfulness, difficulty with daily tasks, personality changes, reduced independence |
| Late Stage (Severe Dementia) | Severe cognitive and physical decline; complete dependence on caregivers | Loss of communication, inability to recognize loved ones, mobility and swallowing difficulties require complete personal care |
Domiciliary Care
Domiciliary care provides support services to individuals, often seniors or people with disabilities, in their own homes. The goal is to help maintain independence and quality of life by assisting with daily tasks like personal care, medication, meals, housekeeping, and companionship without needing residential care.
In elder care, domiciliary services can be enhanced with GPS watches and safety systems to monitor well-being remotely and alert caregivers when needed.
End-of-Life Care
End-of-Life Care offers medical and emotional support for individuals in their final stages of life—often the last year, months, or days. It focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life, addressing physical symptoms like pain and emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
Care may involve symptom relief, emotional support, and coordination by a care team in homes, hospitals, or hospices. It can be combined with treatments or provided when curative options are no longer effective. The aim is to support the individual and their loved ones and ensure a peaceful, dignified passing.
Fall Detection
Fall detection is a technology that identifies when someone—especially the elderly or medically vulnerable—experiences a sudden fall. It uses sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes in wearable or home-based devices to detect movement patterns linked to falling.
This technology supports elder care by enhancing safety, promoting independence, and lowering risks from unattended falls. Key components include motion sensors, smart algorithms to distinguish falls from normal movement, and alert systems via mobile apps or monitoring services.
Fall Risk Assessment
Fall risk assessment is an evaluation conducted by healthcare providers to determine an individual’s likelihood of falling, particularly in older adults or those with medical vulnerabilities. It involves assessing various risk factors such as history of falls, difficulties with walking or balance, medication use, and cognitive or physical impairments.
The assessment aims to identify those at higher risk so that preventive measures and interventions can be implemented to reduce fall incidents and enhance patient safety. This assessment may be done multiple times, especially when a person’s health status changes.
GPS Watch
A GPS watch is a wearable device that uses GPS technology for real-time location tracking, typically worn like a wristwatch. In elder care, it helps monitor individuals—especially seniors or those with cognitive issues—to support safety and independence.
Many models also offer heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, and emergency alerts. By allowing caregivers to track location and receive remote alerts, GPS watches help prevent wandering and enable quick response in emergencies.
Health Care Proxy
A health care proxy is a legal document that lets someone (the proxy) make medical decisions for another person (the principal) if the latter cannot do so due to illness or an emergency. The proxy must follow the principal’s wishes or act in their best interest.
It covers decisions about treatments, procedures, and overall care. The proxy’s authority begins only when a healthcare provider confirms the principal can’t make decisions and ends if the principal regains capacity.
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is a federally insured reverse mortgage for homeowners aged 62 and older. It lets them convert home equity into cash without monthly payments. The loan is repaid when the home is sold, the owner moves out, or passes away.
Borrowers keep ownership but must pay property taxes, insurance, and home maintenance. Loan amounts depend on the home’s value and the borrower’s age. HECMs are backed by the FHA and are the most common reverse mortgage in the U.S.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are person-centered supports provided in home or community settings instead of institutional facilities. They help individuals with disabilities or functional limitations manage daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and mobility.
HCBS programs offer medical, social, and support services such as personal care, nursing, therapy, meal delivery, transportation, home modifications, and caregiver assistance. Often funded through Medicaid, these services promote independence, improve quality of life, and reduce the need for institutional care.
Independent Living Aids
Independent Living Aids are tools, equipment, or devices designed to assist individuals, particularly those with disabilities or functional limitations, in performing activities necessary for living independently in the community.
These aids support daily living tasks such as mobility, communication, personal care, and household management, helping individuals maintain autonomy and quality of life in their own homes rather than institutional settings.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of interconnected physical devices, objects, or “things” embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that enable them to collect, exchange, and act on data over the internet or other communication networks with minimal human intervention.
These devices range from everyday household items to sophisticated industrial tools and healthcare assets, allowing seamless communication and automation to improve efficiency, decision-making, and quality of life.
Medical Alert System
Medical alert systems help individuals—especially seniors or those with medical conditions—quickly get emergency assistance after a fall, illness, or other urgent situation. They typically include a wearable button or pendant that alerts a response center or emergency contacts.
When activated, trained personnel assess the situation, contact emergency services, or notify caregivers. Modern systems may offer fall detection, GPS tracking, and two-way communication. These systems enhance safety and independence, especially for people living alone or at risk.
Monitoring System
A monitoring system is a set of technologies, devices, or software designed to continuously observe, track, and collect data on a patient’s physiological parameters, behavior, or environmental conditions to support clinical decisions and improve patient safety.
They enable real-time or periodic data transmission to healthcare providers or caregivers. Monitoring systems help detect health changes early, manage chronic conditions, ensure medication adherence, and provide alerts for emergencies or abnormal events.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a client-centered health profession that enables individuals of all ages to participate in meaningful daily activities (occupations) despite physical, mental, or cognitive impairments.
The goal is to improve a person’s ability to perform self-care, work, leisure, and social tasks by developing, recovering, or maintaining skills necessary for independent living and quality of life.
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is a device and monitoring service that helps individuals, especially those living alone or at risk, quickly get help during emergencies. It usually includes a wearable “help” button that connects to a response center with trained staff who can assess the situation and dispatch assistance.
PERS supports independent living by providing fast access to emergency aid, often through the user’s phone line. Installation, maintenance, and monitoring are typically included.
Safe Zone (Geofencing)
Safe Zone (Geofencing) refers to a location-based technology that creates a virtual geographic boundary or “fence” around a defined physical area.
A “safe zone” geofence can notify caregivers or family members if an individual moves outside a designated safe location, helping to monitor and protect vulnerable persons such as seniors or those with cognitive impairments.
Silent Monitoring
Silent Monitoring in healthcare involves discreetly observing and recording patient activities or conditions without their awareness. It helps assess care quality, ensure safety, and improve processes without disrupting behavior.
Methods include video surveillance, audio recording, sensors, or digital tracking. Silent monitoring is standard in clinical, elder, and home care settings. It supports protocol compliance, helps prevent neglect or abuse, and improves patient outcomes.
Sound Amplification Device
A Sound Amplification Device is any electronically powered or assisted device designed to amplify sound, making it louder and easier to hear. Individuals may use these devices without a diagnosed hearing loss to enhance sounds in specific environments, or as assistive tools to improve the ability to detect noise.
Unlike hearing aids—medical devices prescribed and regulated to compensate for hearing loss—sound amplification devices, such as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), are generally not intended to treat or diagnose hearing impairment and are often available over the counter.
Tamper-Proof Locking Strap
A tamper-proof locking strap is a secure fastening device designed to prevent unauthorized access or removal of equipment, containers, or medical devices by incorporating features indicating tampering.
These straps are commonly used in healthcare and elder care settings to protect medical supplies, medication containers, wearable devices, or monitoring equipment. They often include locking mechanisms or breakable seals that cannot be removed without visible damage, ensuring the integrity and safety of the secured item.
Telehealth
Telehealth uses digital information and communication technologies, such as computers, smartphones, and video conferencing, to deliver healthcare services, information, and education remotely.
It allows patients and healthcare providers to connect and communicate without requiring in-person visits, facilitating medical consultations, monitoring, diagnosis, treatment, and health education, especially for individuals in remote or underserved areas.
Telemonitoring
Telemonitoring uses information technology to remotely monitor and evaluate health parameters, such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar levels, weight, and other vital signs, usually from a patient’s home.
It involves the continuous or periodic collection and digital transmission of physiological data to healthcare providers, enabling them to track the patient’s condition, detect health changes early, and adjust treatment without requiring in-person visits.
Telemonitoring supports better management of chronic illnesses, enhances patient safety, and helps reduce hospital admissions by allowing timely medical intervention based on remote data.
Vital Signs Monitoring
Vital Signs Monitoring is the continuous or periodic measurement and tracking of an individual’s essential physiological indicators, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation. This monitoring helps healthcare providers assess the patient’s health status, detect early signs of medical problems, manage chronic conditions, and guide treatment decisions.
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology refers to electronic devices worn on the body to collect, monitor, and transmit data related to health, fitness, or other personal metrics. These devices often incorporate sensors and wireless connectivity, enabling real-time tracking of physiological parameters such as heart rate, physical activity, sleep patterns, and sometimes location.