Choosing the Right Wander Management System
Protecting elderly residents requires reliable solutions. A top wander management system ensures safety with features like real-time alerts, customizable zones, wearable devices, and easy integration. Explore our full guide to learn more.
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Wander Management Made Simple
For long-term care and senior living communities, the health and safety of residents is paramount. Unfortunately, many residents in these communities suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia, or other conditions that leave them susceptible to elopement.
A wander management system is an excellent way to reduce liability, improve quality of care, and increase overall security and safety of residents. But not all wander management systems are created equal. This guide will review some of the most important wander management systems features to look for as you evaluate which one is the best fit for your community.
What to Look for in a Wander Management System
When it comes to safeguarding your elderly patients, there is no such thing as being too careful. That’s why it’s important to choose a wander management system that meets the highest standards of safety and security.
Scalability
Look for a vendor that offers options to grow as your needs expand. This may mean multiple product options or just a customizable, modular solution that you can grow into.
Smaller communities, for example, may be looking for a simple, user-installed system – but may grow into a more sophisticated solution. Larger communities may need to start with more capabilities but are limited by budget restraints. Find a vendor that can scale and add capabilities as you need. A “one-size-fits-all” solution may fit your needs today, but think about if it will meet your needs in three or five years.
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Integration Options
Installing a wander management system in your community can be challenging, but when it comes to successful implementation, integration is key. All the bells and whistles of a good wander management system are useless if it cannot effectively communicate and work with other systems already in place. When exploring potential solutions, pay close attention to the integrations that come with each vendor’s offering. Are all of your existing systems compatible? Ensure that your technology choices are equipped with modules that facilitate comprehensive integration capabilities so your staff can maximize the effectiveness of any wander management system.
Consider your:
- Nurse call system
- Electronic access control (EAC)
- CCTV/camera system
- Pagers, beepers, or any other mobile devices carried by caregivers
- iOS or Android devices
- Any other internal systems that will enable your wander management system to work seamlessly within your facility
As you elevate options, opt for a solution that has custom configuration options, so you can ensure it meets your needs today and in the future. Installing a new system at your facility should simplify your process, not add complexity.
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What we need for a quote:
- Number of doors to be protected (locks or no locks)
- How many residents will wear wristbands
- Do you want resident identification on alarm
- Timeline on project installation
Tag Attributes
Look for the following when it comes to security tags/bands:
Some systems require wrist placement, some require ankle placement, some allow either. Ask—it’s important to address this detail upfront.
Some vendors provide tags that last only a set period of time via a stamped expiration date, while others promote tags that may be used until there is a low battery indication, which can provide years of useful shelf life. Most tags are disposable once the battery runs out but not every tag on the market is promoted in this manner. Discuss with the service provider you are working with to understand the methodology for the specific product you are researching. Determine what makes the most sense and offers the best value for your community.
For tags that function until the battery expires, the ability to turn it off when not in use can have a dramatic impact on your operational budget expenses over the life of the system.
Having the ability to see if a tag is working instantly or not can be a time-saving feature that benefits your caregivers on a daily basis and provides peace of mind.
How durable is the tag? Is the tag rated as water-resistant and shock-resistant?
What is the durability of the banding material and how is it removed?
When an alarm occurs, are caregivers simply notified which door is being breached, or does the notification identify the door along with either a tag number/resident name?
Alarm Accuracy & Reliability
There are several important considerations when it comes to the system's alarm(s). First, ask about interference. You don't want tags that will catch interference from other devices, like cell phones or floor buffers, triggering false alarms. Additionally, if you have multiple floors or doors close together, ensure that the alarm can distinguish the correct location.
Another consideration is the types of alarms. Many vendors offer just one or two alarm types. This isn’t ideal, because non-wander alerts (low battery, tamper alert, etc.) can be confused for a wander or loiter alarm. Differentiating these alarms is crucial for ensuring proper response and avoiding false alarms.
Hardware & Software
Ask potential vendors about the hardware and/or software associated with their wander management solution. Is there an option for a comprehensive system without the need for a computer? Conversely, is there an integrated software platform as a potential upgrade?
Discuss how the components of the systems will work within your facility. Where will there be remotes, LCD screens, alarms, etc.? What does it look like to manage the system day-to-day? Is there reporting easily available so you can see alarms with a date/time stamp?
Reasons to Choose Accutech Over Other Vendors
Accutech’s wander management solutions have many benefits. Here are several other reasons to choose Accutech over competing vendors.
- Accutech provides healthcare security solutions at affordable prices. Cost-effective patient and resident security is important to Accutech Security because we believe all healthcare facilities should have access to a low-cost wander system.
- Our ResidentGuard “wander wearable” is unobtrusive and takes into consideration the privacy seniors and other medical patients expect.
- When choosing wander management for dementia or for kids in pediatric facilities, our wander management system can be integrated with our access control solution for a comprehensive security protection system that provides peace of mind for hospital staff and patients alike.
- Wandering patients don’t all have the same needs, and you want a system that can integrate with security features you already have. Accutech’s products are designed with integration in mind.
- Security mechanisms are more than just the electronic systems themselves—you also need reliable support that is there to meet your specific needs and concerns.
- Our ResidentGuard wander management systems are created with flexibility in mind. You may need to add features later down the line as your facilities grow or change. Whether you need a stand-alone system for one nurse’s station or have a need for an integrated system that functions throughout multiple campuses, we can help get you up and running with flexible options and customer support you can count on.
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What To Ask a Vendor When Evaluating a Wander Management System
We offer two solutions: the LC 1400 and LS 2400 systems. Both systems can be tailored to accommodate your facility's budget and technical requirements.
Our systems are highly customizable to suit your community’s needs. Options include:
- Local alarming (sounders and strobes)
- Direct notifications to pagers or nurse call systems
- A variety of resident tags and band options for different use cases
ResidentGuard integrates seamlessly with a wide range of:
- Nurse call systems
- Electronic access control systems
- CCTV providers
Battery degradation can vary based on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, etc.. but our tags typically have a shelf life of up to 5 years and come with a warranty of 6 months to 1 year, depending on the tag type. In practice, tags often last 3+ years based on usage.
Yes, all Accutech tags can be turned on and off as needed.
Most of our tags feature a visual indicator light to confirm functionality. For our discreet wearables, tag status can be verified using a handheld device.
Yes, depending on the system:
- The LS 2400 system includes software and reporting features that identify specific residents.
- The LC 1400 system does not offer resident ID functionality.
Yes, our systems use intelligent RF filtering technology that minimizes the risk of interference from external devices, ensuring reliable operation.
Yes, our systems can be configured to distinguish between multiple floors using "stagger-tuning" zones. This ensures that alarms trigger only on the correct floor or specific door.
Yes, we provide multiple alarm types, including:
- Door ajar alarms
- Resident loiter alarms
- Door alarms
Each alarm type has distinct visual and auditory signals to help staff differentiate between them.
Yes, both the LC 1400 and LS 2400 systems can lock doors and disable elevators when required.
We offer flexible alarm notification options based on your facility’s preferences:
- Local alarms (sounders or strobes)
- Discreet notifications to pagers, nurse call stations, or other systems
These options ensure quick response without disturbing other residents.
Installation and training are handled by our certified dealers. Once installed, your staff will receive comprehensive training, typically completed in 15–20 minutes.
We provide 24/7/365 free technical support for all ResidentGuard systems, ensuring peace of mind for your staff and residents.
What Sets Accutech’s Wander Management System Apart?
Learn about the technology we use in our systems.
Once a wandering event has occurred, there is a small window of time to react and take action. At-risk residents at senior living facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities provide a unique challenge in providing a quick and timely way to protect them from harm and displacement.
Depending on the level of your current system’s integration, a wander management solution has the ability to sound alarms and lockdown specific doors to assist in elopement prevention. System features can include several different alarm types and direct access to nurse call stations.
Give your resident’s family members peace of mind knowing that your facility has an effective wander management system in place for a secure and protected living situation for their loved ones, while also allowing for resident independence throughout the facility.
While evaluating wander management systems for dementia, Alzheimer’s, and at-risk residents, verify that the solutions that are chosen reduce your facility's liability, protect your community - both staff and residents, and provide quick action in cases of wandering events.
| Modern, descreet look and feel | Ability to turn tags on/off | Optional photos of resident at door or nurses station |
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|---|---|---|---|
| ResidentGuard by Accutech | |||
| Roam Alert by Stanley Healthcare | |||
| Door GUARDIAN by Secure Care | |||
| Code Alert by RF Technologies | |||
| Wanderguard by Stanley Healthcare |