Tracking system for seniors, children launches

One of the most difficult, and least appreciated, jobs imaginable will get a little easier for some McHenry County families today.

A group of law enforcement, health care and social service agencies this morning will launch Care Trak, a system that uses wireless technology to track and locate a senior or child who wanders away from home.

The program is designed for families providing 24-hour care to someone with autism, Down syndrome or a form dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. "These are the most needy people in terms of requiring protection if they wander off," McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren said. "This is a good tool to help us locate them."

Eligible individuals will be equipped with a monitoring device worn like a watch. If that person wanders from home, police can track signals from the device to locate the person.

In all, three Care Trak systems will be installed in the county - in Huntley, Crystal Lake and a countywide system monitored by the sheriff's office.

The program is being funded by Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. Other participants include the Family Alliance, Inc., the McHenry County Mental Health Board, the McHenry County Autism Group, Talk About Curing Autism, the Autumn Leaves and Bickford memory care facilities and the Crystal Lake Dawn Breakers Club.