Dementia Care Failures in the Headlines: How Technology Can Help Prevent Tragedies

A recent and devastating story out of Hervey Bay Hospital has shaken Australia’s aged care and healthcare community. A whistleblower report revealed serious lapses in dementia care, citing inadequate staffing and a lack of supervision, which tragically led to a patient being fatally injured by another resident.

This incident raises deep concerns about the safety of vulnerable individuals in under-resourced care environments and highlights the urgent need for smarter, more proactive solutions.

With over 400,000 Australians currently living with dementia, and that number expected to double in the next 20 years, typically, care systems are under increasing pressure. As families and providers face growing risks related to wandering behaviour, disorientation, and delayed emergency responses, the need for supportive technology has never been clearer.

This tragedy is a grim reminder of what’s at stake.

The Hidden Risk of Wandering

Wandering is one of the most common and dangerous behaviours in people living with dementia. Individuals may become disoriented and leave their home or care facility, often unnoticed, putting them at serious risk of injury, exposure, or even death.

In an overstretched healthcare system, where 24/7 supervision isn’t always possible, technology plays a critical role in keeping people safe while still preserving their independence.

How INS LifeGuard’s Geofencing Can Help

At INS LifeGuard, we understand the real-world challenges of dementia care, especially when supervision gaps can have life-altering consequences. That’s why our INS LifeGuardian® platform includes advanced Geofencing technology, available across multiple stigma-free personal alarm options.

• Elderly personal alarm smartwatches (Apple, Samsung)
• A dedicated phone app-based personal alarm

These options give carers and loved ones peace of mind, not only because they include a help button that can be pressed any time, day or night, connecting directly to our 24/7 Nurse Response Team, but also because they feature GPS location tracking.

Carers can:

• Set a virtual boundary (or “safe zone”) around a home, care facility, or neighbourhood
  
• Receive real-time alerts via the free INS LifeGuardian Connect® App if the person crosses that boundary
  
• Act quickly to locate or assist their loved one
  
  

This feature is particularly helpful for individuals who may be at risk of wandering, such as those living with dementia, offering added safety without restricting independence.

When Technology Meets Clinical Support

Unlike most personal alarm providers, INS LifeGuard’s emergency response team is staffed by qualified nurses, available 24/7. This means that when an alert is triggered, whether due to a geofence breach, fall detection, or other emergency, the response is not only fast, but clinically informed.



We understand the complex needs of individuals living with dementia and their carers. While technology can’t replace human care, it can fill the dangerous gaps as demonstrated so tragically in the Hervey Bay case.

The Bigger Picture

As aged care in Australia undergoes long-overdue reform and increasing scrutiny, smarter, more supportive solutions are urgently needed. Families, carers, and aged care providers all face growing pressure — and technology can play a vital role in helping ease that burden.

With features such as geofencing, location tracking, and real-time alerts, INS LifeGuard’s personal alarm systems help people living with dementia stay safe without sacrificing their independence.

Because everyone deserves dignity, security, and support wherever they call home.

Whether you're supporting a loved one at home, managing care within a retirement village, or part of a professional healthcare team, INS LifeGuard’s personal alarm solutions are designed to provide confidence, connection, and 24/7 clinical support.

Call us on 1800 636 226 to speak with our friendly Australian team,
or learn more about our personal alarm solutions here.

Let us help you create a safer, more supported environment for the people who matter most.