MCI: Huge timesaver for finding all those lost things!

Posted by pattyinal @pattyinal, Dec 29, 2019

I can’t begin to tell you how much time I have spent in the 12 years since my husband first exhibited symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment, searching for lost keys, wallet, etc. A couple of years ago our son & wife gifted me with a couple of Tiles to put on our key rings. Woah! Downloaded the Tile app to my phone and BINGO! I can track down the keys, even if he hides them under the mattress! Now we have one on keys, in his wallet, my keys ( which he sometimes puts in a “safe” place), TV remote, & spare key to open dead bolt from inside. Now if they just made one for his glasses 😜. AND... I can find my phone from any of those Tiles. A real timesaver!

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Hi @pattyinal that is great that you have found this helpful alternative! Have you been able to share this with others in your life? What have they thought about them?

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Friends like them, but just wanted to share with caregiver friends who spend lots of time searching for lost items too.

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I bet that other caregivers will appreciate the tip @pattyinal.
I try to have designated places for items such as keys, wallet, etc. Doesn't always work, but it helps. I wonder if others, like @terryinsd @debbraw @jodeej @harriethodgson1 @janeejane, have tips to keeping track of misplaced items.

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Thanks for your success story. I will definitely look into this help aide locating system. I believe that it will work with our MCI challenges. Thank you, again.

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They do have a gadget that helps you find your glasses. I've seen them in catalogs! But just google "gadget to find your glasses" and you'll come up with several options... tiny Bluetooth gadgets that attach to the frame of your glasses! Good luck!

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I have a friend that has those. She said they are great but not very loud. Is there a setting for volume?
JoDee

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My husband has "moved" where he keeps his hat, keys and etc from his dresser to the coffee table in the living room. While it's not my first choice of places, I just leave it there. Lol I am going to look into getting Tiles.
So far, we haven't had too much trouble with misplacing things. He has lost two pairs of prescription sunglasses, though. One in a pile of leaves he hailed to the dump and the other he sat on top of his pickup and drove off.
JoDee

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Hi Jodee, Each system works a little differently. For instance, the "Findy" trackers say they have a system that the volume can be adjusted up to 92 decibels, which they say someone who is hard of hearing, can hear. Your friend would have to research the product she has to find out more.

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@jodeej

I have a friend that has those. She said they are great but not very loud. Is there a setting for volume?
JoDee

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I too am hearing impaired. The first ones we had were not as loud as the newer ones are. Newer ones also have batteries that can be replaced after a year. The Tile app on your phone which sends the signal also has a circular image which fills in, getting greener as you get nearer the lost Tile.
Tiles also ping each other whenever you are near someone else who has a Tile, so if he had left his keys at a restaurant and someone nearby also had a Tile, my phone app would indicate where his keys Tile was last pinged.
Their website probably gives a much clearer explanation than I do.

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@pattyinal

I too am hearing impaired. The first ones we had were not as loud as the newer ones are. Newer ones also have batteries that can be replaced after a year. The Tile app on your phone which sends the signal also has a circular image which fills in, getting greener as you get nearer the lost Tile.
Tiles also ping each other whenever you are near someone else who has a Tile, so if he had left his keys at a restaurant and someone nearby also had a Tile, my phone app would indicate where his keys Tile was last pinged.
Their website probably gives a much clearer explanation than I do.

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@pattyinal, if you're interested, there is also a Hearing Loss group on Connect here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hearing-loss/
Your experiences would be welcome there.

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