Frequently Asked Questions

The Most Asked Questions About the Care Trak Mobile Locater and Perimeter System:

How does the Mobile Locater work?
What is the tracking range?
How do I find someone at night?
How do you locate a person inside the building?
Do I need to be computer literate to use the Mobile Locater?
What is the on-going expense in maintaining the system?
Does the transmitter get worn on the wrist or ankle?
Is this a GPS unit?
Will Medicare or Medicaid pay for this?
Will private insurance pay for this?
What if we don't like it after we buy it?
Can we take the Mobile Locater with us on trips or outings?
How long does it take to get the System?
What is the warranty?

Questions About the Care Trak Invisible Perimeter System:

How does it work?
How often do I use the unit?
Do I have to install the unit?
Can I take the Perimeter Alarm on a camping trip if there is no electrical current available?
Do I need to Purchase a Mobile Locater separately?
Where did Care Trak come from?
Is this like the home arrest prisoner monitoring system?

FAQs from Sheriffs, Police, SAR Teams, Fire Departments and other Public Safety Agencies:

Visit our Rapid Recovery FAQ page.

The Most Asked Questions About the Care Trak Mobile Locater and Perimeter System:

How does the Mobile Locater work?

Your loved one at risk of wandering wears a tiny water-resistant transmitter with a tamper-resistant band that is normally worn on the wrist like a watch or on the ankle. This one-ounce transmitter puts out a silent, constantly pulsating radio signal 24 hours a day. In the event your loved one becomes lost, the Mobile Locater receiver tunes in that person's radio signal. Using a hand-held directional antenna, you determine the direction of the strongest radio signal and walk in that direction until you come upon the person. The signal gets stronger as you get closer.

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What is the tracking range?

Up to a mile. Radio signals are affected by weather, environmental conditions, terrain and other factors. For example, in a mowed farm field the radio signal may extend more than a mile. In a densely wooded area, the signal might be cut down to a half mile or less.

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How do I find someone at night?

Two ways. The Mobile Locater has a LED meter that shows the signal strength coming from the lost person's transmitter. It also has an audible "chirp." When you point the antenna in the direction of the wandered person, the "chirp" gets louder and the LED signal meter jumps higher on the scale.

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How do you locate a person inside the building?

The same as outside. Most people automatically start looking outside for a lost person. The Mobile Locater will point inside the building if that is where your loved one is. You follow the "chirp" and meter to the person.

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Do I need to be computer literate to use the Mobile Locater?

Absolutely not. Almost anyone can use the Mobile Locater. We suggest that those who will be using the system practice monthly to become familiar with tracking. Tip: Be sure more than one person is familiar with the tracking unit in the event you cannot do the locating yourself.

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What is the on-going expense in maintaining the system?

Each month the transmitter battery must be changed and that means cutting off the tamper-resistant band. Your expense is a battery and band each month. Current cost is under $10.00. We now have reusable bands available. Care Trak can automatically ship you a new battery and band every month if you use a Visa or Mastercard.

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Does the transmitter get worn on the wrist or ankle?

Either; however, we prefer to have the transmitter on the wrist for easier tracking. We also specialize in custom applications if the wanderer will not wear a wrist or ankle band. Contact us for more information.

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Is this a GPS unit?

No. Care Trak is a Telemetry based system, much like your FM radio station. The signal goes through walls and other objects. GPS does not work well for this application. GPS depends on orbiting satellites for the system to work. Basically, any object that blocks sunlight will block a GPS tracking signal. Alzheimer's victims and special needs kids are unaware they are lost, and will not move to an open area in order to send a GPS signal to an orbiting satellite. A GPS device would not have located approximately 60% of those wanderers located with the Care Trak System.

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Will Medicare or Medicaid pay for this?

Not yet. We have been in contact with both of these agencies. Many civic clubs, and organizations like the Rotary, Kiwanis, Pilot clubs and others have purchased this equipment for families of special needs kids.

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Will private insurance pay for this?

You will have to ask your insurance company. There is definitely a reduction of risk for any insurance company. Finding a wanderer quickly reduces the chances of injury, exposure to the elements and death. Some state agencies have programs that pay for safety and assistance technology for children or adults with special needs. Contact your state department of human services. We are always available to discuss the benefits of the system with any agency.

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What if we don't like it after we buy it?

You have a 14 day trial period. If you don't like the system, return it in like-new condition for a full refund less shipping charges. After watching the video, we suggest you take time and play "Hide and Seek" for a day to convince yourself of Care Trak's effectiveness.

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Can we take the Mobile Locater with us on trips or outings?

Absolutely. The Mobile Locater is 100% portable and can operate on standard "AAA" batteries.

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How long does it take to get the System?

Usually up to 4 weeks. Each unit is hand built when ordered and is subject to extensive testing before it leaves the factory.

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What is the warranty?

Seven Years Parts and Labor. This applies to defects in workmanship. Misuse, abuse and batteries are not covered. Call us for more details on Care Trak's warranty.

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Questions About the Care Trak Invisible Perimeter System:

How does it work?

The Sentry Perimeter Alarm establishes an invisible circle around the location where it is set up. This circle can be adjusted from about 50 feet to 400 feet. A person wearing a Care Trak transmitter is free to roam within this invisible circle. If the person attempts to leave the established circle area, an alarm will sound, alerting the caregiver that the monitored person has left the perimeter area.

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How often do I use the unit?

24 hours a day. During the daytime hours the perimeter area can be adjusted larger to give your loved one more freedom to roam around outside, let's say 300'. At night, you can decrease the perimeter area. This way if a confused person or child goes outside the perimeter area, the alarm will sound quicker allowing you to retrieve the person before he/she gets too far away in the dark.

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Do I have to install the unit?

All you have to do is plug the unit in standard house current. There are no buried wires and no installation. The perimeter area is established by the antenna attached to the unit.

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Can I take the Perimeter Alarm on a camping trip if there is no electrical current available?

Yes. The Sentry Perimeter Alarm will work on battery power for about 5 hours. The unit may be placed on a picnic table to monitor a loved one. We suggest that the unit not be operated this way very often since the unit uses a total of 16 AAA batteries.

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Do I need to Purchase a Mobile Locater separately?

No. The Sentry Perimeter System includes the CTR 16 Mobile Locater. The Perimeter and the CTR 16 work together to form the invisible perimeter. With the combination of the two units, you have the ability to monitor an area AND have the ability to locate the wandered person up to a MILE away.

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Where did Care Trak come from?

Our parent company is Wildlife Materials, Inc. WMI has been building professional research equipment to track and monitor endangered species around the world for over 3 decades. If you watch PBS on TV very much, you have seen our equipment in use by researchers, the government and zoos. Recently we were featured on the NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. Care Trak applied for and was granted a special license to put transmitters on people by the Federal Communication Commission.

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Is this like the home arrest prisoner monitoring system?

No. The home arrest system has no provision for tracking.

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