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An older woman and her adult daughter walking arm in arm along a park path in autumn

Testimonials: in their words

Stories and feedback from the families, carers and community partners who rely on WanderSearch every day.

A green device worn as a pendant on a cord of colourful letter beads
A WanderSearch pendant in everyday use. Image is representative and does not depict David. CREDIT: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Karen & David

My brother David has been using your Pendant for a few years, it would be interesting to know exactly how long it has been.

As he had been single and after his Dementia diagnosis in his late 60's, I had been trying to help him live at home independently. I was trying to find something that would give me peace of mind and found Wandersearch that was a game changer for him and us.

When he moved into Rest Home Care 3 and a half years go, we used it 3 times, as he used to walk a lot and he was not familiar with the Rest Home that was chosen next to where we lived. I have been so grateful that even though he made his way to his old residence and was found by neighbours, the Search and rescue team in the background was invaluable.

I have been so grateful for the wonderful work that you do. It was such a relief to know there was some back up when I was trying to keep him at home.

Many thanks again for your wonderful service

Karen, David's sibling and carer

Family voices

Messages of thanks from the whānau and carers of the people who wear a device.

A mother and four children walking along a gravel path with snow-capped Canterbury mountains behind them

It meant that mum knew she could go for small walks with her friend in the retirement community she lived.

Family of a device user

Thank you so very much for reaching out and for giving us the peace of mind necessary to allow Mum to still have the freedom she loves to wander around her town and us to know she will be safe if she were to wander into old territories and get confused. You do an amazing job for people and I for one, appreciate you, the team and the work your all do, enormously.

Family of a device user

Your organisation saves lives, thank you.

Family of a device user

I can relax and enjoy life a little knowing that if he did wander, he could be found within a relatively short space of time.

Family of a device user

It gave dad the freedom to continue walking outside and be out in the community at his church.

Family of a device user

It gave us peace of mind and certainty and enabled us the caregivers to sleep easier at night.

Family carer

Thank you to the lovely people from Christchurch WanderSearch who helped mum stay in her residential unit (and go walking nearly every day) for several extra months before she eventually needed to be admitted to a dementia unit. Looking back, I appreciate more fully that these extra days of independence were so very precious.

Family of a device user

Thank you so much for allowing us to utilise this device while we have been caring for our mother with dementia! It has been very very much appreciated!

Family carer

I knew my Mum with dementia was safe.

Family of a device user

Thank you for everything you do, having this on our mother while in our care gave us peace of mind and comfort.

Family carer

This is an invaluable service providing peace of mind to care staff and resident family.

Care provider

Community partners

Feedback from the health, disability, aged-care and education organisations we work alongside.

I work for Explore as a Behaviour Specialist. Our core role is behaviour support, and we work alongside individuals and their whānau to understand their unique needs and strengths. For families connected with WanderSearch, I've found the team to be responsive in issuing the WanderTrak devices. The variety on offer (pendant, clip on, wrist band) helps cater to individual sensory preferences. WanderSearch allows families to switch devices if the original choice isn't comfortable (for example, moving from a pendant to a clip-on), and this flexibility makes a real difference for comfort and ongoing use.

Demi Geldenhuis Behaviour Specialist Explore

We have been using WanderSearch devices for some of our residents. It is simple, easy to access and inexpensive. With the help of the Police Authority, It gives us peace of mind if something happens.

Maricar Calzada Clinical Manager Radius Millstream, Ashburton

As an organisation supporting people living with dementia in the community, we work closely with the WanderSearch Canterbury team and their local representatives in our community. WanderSearch is a vital support for a person who walks with purpose (previously known as wandering) to maintain their safety and independence in the community, particularly if their ability to orientate themselves changes which often does as dementia advances. The devices provide significant peace of mind for family/whānau who are supporting a person they love with dementia, knowing that they have a little safety net around their person, should they ever need it. For us as an organisation, these devices are a vital tool for support, and something we refer our clients into should they need this — the feedback we hear from our clients after their interactions with the WanderSearch team are always positive in nature.

Alzheimers South Canterbury

Celebrating the organisations we work with

  • WanderSearch is a great option to consider for many people Dementia.

    Darral CampbellCEODementia Canterbury

  • Whānau can have peace of mind, knowing that they will be able to find their children quickly...

    Victoria Tui’iSenior Occupational TherapistAllenvale School

  • We've found the WanderSearch system to be an invaluable safeguard. It's comfortable, discreet and helps them feel safe and supported in the community.

    Mike McDanielDirector of NursingPūkeko Blue Ltd

  • Wandersearch has given us tremendous peace of mind in caring for our residents.

    Gene RuizClinical ManagerWindsor Care

Dementia Canterbury

WanderSearch is a great option to consider for many people living with dementia. As wayfinding can become difficult for some, a pendant or watch can be a great option to consider, maintaining independence for the person, and peace of mind for whanau, and ensuring a highly responsive service should the person wander, and or become disorientated. Talking with the staff at WanderSearch about options is highly recommended.

Darral CampbellCEO

Allenvale School

I have worked with the team at Wandersearch Canterbury alongside many of the whanau at our school for years. The team are always so helpful and professional. Having access to these tracking devices for our akonga has meant that their whanau can have peace of mind, knowing that they will be able to find their children quickly if they ever were to take off on their own. Additionally, being able to access a service like this without funding being a barrier is wonderful. Thanks team!

Victoria Tui’iSenior Occupational Therapist

Pūkeko Blue Ltd

As a disability service supporting people who are sometimes at risk of going missing, we've found the WanderSearch NZ system to be an invaluable safeguard. Police have been able to locate our residents with a simple request of the WanderSearch number associated with their pendant, often within a very short timeframe. Many of our residents enjoy wearing the necklace pendant, it's comfortable, discreet, and helps them feel safe and supported in the community. The collaboration between WanderSearch and the Police gives real peace of mind to families, staff, and everyone involved in their care. We're very grateful for this reliable and effective service.

Mike McDanielDirector of Nursing

Windsor Care

WanderSearch has given us tremendous peace of mind in caring for our residents with memory challenges. It allows them to maintain their independence and continue enjoying their walks and outings safely, while giving our team confidence that help will be on the way whenever needed. We had an occasion where one of our Wander Tracker users did not return after his afternoon walk. Thanks to the tracker's radio frequency, the police were able to locate him promptly. He had experienced a fall near the riverbank, and with dusk approaching and rain on the way, the outcome could have been very different without the device. We are deeply grateful for this technology: it has truly enhanced both resident safety and our sense of assurance as caregivers.

Gene RuizClinical Manager

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