Muscat – In a pioneering move for the wellbeing of Alzheimer’s patients in the sultanate, Oman Alzheimer’s Society has introduced a state-of-the-art tracking smartwatch. Designed with the safety of patients in mind, the device will help families locate loved ones who may wander due to the disease.

At a press conference held at Haffa House Hotel, Dr Hamad al Sinawi, Chairman of Oman Alzheimer’s Society, said, “Our primary goal is to uplift the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, while easing the associated challenges for their families. This smartwatch, by virtue of its advanced tracking system, will play a crucial role in helping the family of patients – often their parents – find them.”

By incorporating a sophisticated tracking mechanism, the smartwatch ensures that if a patient becomes disoriented or is lost, their whereabouts can be easily traced, offering a sense of security and reassurance, Dr Sinawi added.

In addition to its tracking capabilities, the watch can connect to up to five SIM cards, primarily for family members, and even receive calls. If a call isn’t answered within a certain timeframe, the device switches to loudspeaker mode.

The smartwatch is also equipped with an SOS signal for emergencies.

Alongside this innovation, the society announced the upcoming launch of a mobile app called ‘Ehtemam’ – Arabic for ‘care’. It is designed for the elderly, offering resources, support and a virtual community to enhance their overall quality of life. The official unveiling of Ehtemam is set for September 13 at Sultan Qaboos University.

Shedding light on the larger picture, Dr Sinawi revealed that there are approximately 11,900 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the sultanate. Those over 65 are especially susceptible, and within this demographic, women slightly outnumber men.

“As these numbers surge, our commitment to crafting innovative solutions and support systems intensifies. Our initiative, the Purple Club, is testament to this. Here, caregivers come together regularly to discuss challenges and seek potential solutions,” Dr Sinawi informed.

September – recognised as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – is of particular significance to the society. It will organise an array of events and programmes throughout the month, aiming not only to spread awareness on Alzheimer’s but also deepen the understanding of the hurdles that patients and caregivers face.