How Smartwatches are Changing the Medical Alert Industry
Medical alert devices can be lifesaving for not only seniors, but for anyone who finds themselves in an emergency situation. A benefit of these devices is that they are able to reduce stress and anxiety for caregivers by providing peace of mind that a loved one will be able to get the help they need after an accident or injury. Today, many medical alert systems are on the market, most of which are traditional in-home units and mobile options for more active seniors. Apple, Freedom Guardian, and others have begun to offer smartwatch devices in the past 5 years that provide a fresh alternative for caregivers who want to their loved ones to have an extra layer of protection or reporting.
These smartwatches have enhanced features such as:
Stylish Appearance
Generally speaking, smartwatches are quite fashionable and look like a “regular” watch. This is a major improvement over traditional medical alert devices, sometimes bulky or capable of making seniors feel self – conscious about wearing them. It may be easier to adjust smartwatches to wear, especially for seniors who are used to wearing a watch.
This is one of the medical alert smartwatch’s most important features. As anyone who has experience buying a medical alert device for a loved one knows, it can be a challenge to get them to wear new devices regularly, but these devices only work if they are actually worn. Smartwatches make your loved one more likely to wear the device on a regular basis and be protected in case of an emergency.
All In One Device
Traditional medical alert systems have two components: a base station and a wearable personal help button. Smartwatches work alone, meaning that your loved one has fewer pieces to remember to wear every day. The ease of only having to remember to charge and wear one item can help seniors feel more comfortable which results in them feeling more protected.
Smart Features
Smartwatches come with many additional features that go beyond emergency monitoring services. The additional features can make some older peoples’ devices more appealing and help them view the device more positively. In addition to functioning as a watch and emergency alert device, some of the common features of medical alert smartwatches include GPS, Activity tracking, Messaging, Phone calls, and weather forecasts.
Top Medical Alert Smartwatches
Freedom Guardian. The Freedom Guardian provides emergency monitoring as well as typical smartwatch services. Some of these features include SMS voice-to-text messaging, activity tracking, customizable alarms for things like reminders of medication, and weather forecasting. Caregivers can download an accompanying app to help them track the activity of their loved one, giving them peace of mind that their loved one is safe.
Apple Watch. The Apple Watch is not a medical alert device on its own, but apps such as Fall Call Lite and Alert provide Apple Watch users with emergency protection. The apps make it easy for users to use their smartwatch to contact caregivers and loved ones by simply pressing a button on the watch or screen to imitate personal help buttons. This is a great option for those who want all of an Apple Watch’s bells and whistles but also benefit from emergency monitoring.
Smartwatches make medical alert devices more attractive and practical for the elderly and can be a major stress reliever for caregivers who are concerned about the safety of their loved one. If in the past, your loved one was resistant to the idea of a medical warning device, smartwatches could provide them with a new opportunity to obtain the life-saving protection of a medical warning system.
Do you think your loved one would benefit from wearing a medical alert smartwatch? Comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.
If your loved one needs care in the home, and you need support in caring for them, we can help. Contact ThriveUSA today.