Do you want to be able to call for help in emergencies without relying on a telephone? Do you want to be sure that someone will always answer your emergency call and send help 24 hours a day? Then a home emergency call system will bring more security and independence to your everyday life. We'll give you an overview of how a traditional home emergency call system works and introduce you to a private alternative: the One Button Phone!

Who needs a home emergency call system for seniors?

A home emergency call system is ideal for anyone who wants more security in their daily life and to be able to easily call for help in emergency situations. The following groups of people in particular should consider a home emergency call system:

• Older people fall more often and aren't always able to get up on their own. Sometimes they are seriously injured and need medical help. If no one else is in the house, a personal emergency response system can be a lifesaver. Seniors living alone, in particular, shouldn't forgo this extra protection.
• For people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, or other pre-existing conditions, every second counts in an emergency. A simple emergency call system with the push of a button can save your life! Your home phone might be somewhere else entirely in such a critical situation.
• Some seniors no longer feel safe in their own homes because they notice their coordination and balance declining. They may also become forgetful but don't want to move into a care facility. A personal emergency response system can provide greater security – both mental and physical!

It doesn't always have to be a home emergency call system from a paid provider with a subscription model. We think the One Button Phone is a good alternative to a traditional home emergency call service. It's a small, smart watch equipped with an emergency button. You can save up to three emergency contacts in the watch, who will then be called sequentially in case of an emergency.

The great thing about this solution is its unbeatable price, because you only have to pay the initial purchase price of €299.00 once and then monthly mobile phone fees. In contrast, a home emergency call service costs at least €25.50 per month. But that's just the basic plan. For the full service package, some providers charge almost €90.00 per month.

What does a professional home emergency call service offer?

Several organizations offer a home emergency call service that can be used for a monthly fee. You sign a contract with the respective provider and then pay the agreed amount each month. In return, you are provided with the necessary infrastructure for a rapid emergency call.

• You will typically receive a base station that is set up in a fixed location in your home. This can, for example, be connected to the telephone line. The device also requires a power outlet.
• You will also receive a portable transmitter with an emergency call button, allowing you to make an emergency call from anywhere in your home. These transmitters are available as a necklace or a bracelet.
• If two people live in your household, you can also choose two handheld transmitters. Both will then communicate with the base station.

A home emergency call system for seniors has another crucial advantage: for many, pressing the emergency call button is less daunting than dialing 112, because there's an intermediary. This applies both to using a home emergency call system with a connected telephone exchange and to private solutions like the One Button Phone.

Furthermore, a home emergency call system is also very helpful for seniors in the event of minor problems. Someone who has locked themselves out or is freezing in their apartment due to a heating failure usually doesn't call emergency services. A home emergency call service can be a great advantage in such situations, but a one-button phone is also perfectly suited for informing a relative in the event of minor or major emergencies.

Since it is a wristwatch, you will always have the device with you anyway and can thus quickly get in touch with one of your loved ones.

For which situations is a home emergency call system intended?

Home emergency call systems are useful in various scenarios. As soon as you feel that you can no longer manage the situation on your own, press the emergency call button.

• You sense that something is wrong. Perhaps you feel unwell, dizzy, or shaky. This doesn't necessarily mean anything serious, but especially as you get older, it's advisable to see a doctor. Press the emergency call button and ask to be connected to the call center. They can then send your family doctor or another on-call doctor to your home.
• In the event of an acute medical emergency such as a heart attack, stroke, or respiratory distress, the home emergency call system can even save your life. Press the emergency button immediately!
• Do you smell smoke in your apartment or has your smoke detector gone off? This is also an emergency. The control center will inform the fire department. If possible, you should leave the apartment beforehand.
• You hear someone in your apartment who shouldn't be there. It's possible you've been burgled. The emergency call service can help in this situation. The dispatcher will alert the police.
• You fell out of bed in the middle of the night and can't get up on your own. You don't need medical help, but you do need someone to assist you. The emergency call service will notify a relative.

As you probably already guessed, you can also use the One Button Phone in all these situations! You won't reach a call center, but rather a relative, who can also help you and alert the right department or take care of the problem themselves.

Furthermore, with the One Button Phone, you don't have to worry about a power outage. The device has a battery that lasts up to four days. So you can call for help even if your home is plunged into darkness. This can be a real advantage, especially during natural disasters or widespread power outages.

Depending on which home emergency call provider you choose, the base unit and the handheld transmitter may have a backup power supply via a battery or rechargeable battery. You should definitely find out about this beforehand.

What happens when an emergency call is made?

To trigger an emergency call, press the corresponding button on your mobile device. You will then be connected by phone to the emergency call center. It is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you should always be able to reach someone. The operator will speak to you and clarify the situation. Depending on the circumstances, they will take the following actions:

• He notifies a relative, usually a designated contact person you have previously agreed upon. This could be a neighbor, a family member, or a friend. This person then takes care of resolving the problem.
• If it is a health problem, the staff member will inform the family doctor or the nursing service so that you can quickly receive medical or nursing support.
• In life-threatening situations, the responsible employee will call the emergency service and send them to your home.

There is also a third option. If you have added an on-call service, a member of the emergency call service staff can come and check on you, depending on the situation. However, this service costs extra with most providers and can become quite expensive in the long run.

If you use the One Button Phone instead of a home emergency call service, a designated emergency contact of your choice will be called. Since this contact is not necessarily available 24 hours a day, you should also specify two additional contacts. If the first person is unavailable, the One Button Phone will automatically call the next contact. As soon as someone answers, you can explain your problem using the hands-free function. The device will also send your location to your contact via SMS.

Is a home emergency call test possible?

Once you've decided on a home emergency call system, you'll certainly want to know exactly how everything works. This way, you're prepared for an emergency and don't have to think about it later. Plus, you'll know for sure that the whole system actually works.

If you've opted for a home emergency call service with a call center, it's best to speak with the provider and ask about a trial period. Generally, pressing the SOS button a few times to test it shouldn't be a problem. The call center will contact you quickly, and you can then immediately explain that you're fine and just wanted to try out the system. However, you'll first need to subscribe to the service and have the equipment installed at your home. This means you'll have to cover the costs for at least a month – unless there's a free trial period, which isn't always the case.

With the One Button Phone, we offer a 30-day trial period. Simply order the device as usual and then try it out at home. Set it up using the app, test whether the emergency call function actually works, and familiarize yourself with the pedometer and vital signs monitoring. You can also thoroughly test the alarm clock. Based on your own experience, decide whether you want to keep the One Button Phone or return it for a full refund. The trial is therefore completely free of charge!

What happens if I can no longer speak?

Sometimes you feel so unwell that you can't speak. Severe shortness of breath, confusion, and even unconsciousness can leave you speechless. If a member of the skin emergency service contacts you via your emergency device and you don't respond, they will definitely ensure that you receive help. Since they know your address, they also know exactly where to send the emergency services.

You can also call for help with the One Button Phone if you are unable to speak. Provided you are still able to press the button yourself, you will be connected to your emergency contact. They will also be surprised if you don't speak and will act accordingly.

The One Button Phone also helps you if you fall and lose consciousness, preventing you from pressing the emergency button. That's because it has a fall sensor ! This sensor detects your rapid fall and automatically alerts your emergency contact without any further action required from you. You can adjust the sensor's sensitivity to prevent it from repeatedly triggering for no reason.

Fall detection is not included in the basic plans of most home emergency call providers. Sometimes it can be booked as an add-on. In other cases, there is activity monitoring, which uses motion sensors to check if you are active. However, this is also an additional service that costs extra. Fall detection with the One Button Phone, on the other hand, is included in the price!

How do I call for help while I'm out?

As the name suggests, a home emergency call system is primarily intended for use in one's own home. Even the mobile handheld transmitters often only function when there is a connection to the base station.

If you want to be covered while you're out and about, you'll need to choose a provider that also offers mobile devices with cellular reception. This may incur an additional charge. With these mobile emergency buttons, you can then connect to the emergency call center even while taking a walk in the park, shopping at the supermarket, or waiting at the bus stop. Ideally, the device should be equipped with a GPS receiver so your location can be determined.

With the One Button Phone, this problem doesn't even arise. It comes standard with a SIM card slot and a GPS module, so you can use it both at home and on the go. Are you working in the garden and have badly cut your hand with the pruning shears? Did you miss the curb on your way to the pharmacy and fall? Perhaps you've gotten lost on a walk and can't find your way home. No matter where you are or what's happened, the One Button Phone can help you in numerous situations! Simply press the emergency button and ask your emergency contact for assistance.

How do my relatives know that I am okay?

Many seniors install a personal emergency response system not only for themselves but also for their relatives, hoping to alleviate their worries. This usually works quite well, as loved ones know they can quickly reach someone in difficult situations. However, they might also worry if they don't hear from you at all. This often leads to distressing questions. A personal emergency response system can also help ease these concerns. The following features, however, are often additional services:

• With activity monitoring, staff check whether there is any activity at your home. If you have been unusually quiet, you will be contacted by the control center via your device.
• Sometimes there's also a check-in button that you need to press once or twice a day. If you don't, staff will check after a certain period of time to see if everything is okay.
• Some providers also allow you to integrate smoke detectors into the system. If smoke develops, the control center is notified.

As you can see, there are various monitoring options available, but of course, they all come at a price. If you forgo a professional home emergency call service and opt for the One Button Phone instead, you can provide your loved ones with even greater peace of mind, as the device can be connected to the family app . Your loved ones simply install the app on their own smartphones and can then view the following:

• Location: Your current location is displayed on a map in the family app. However, GPS should not be permanently activated, otherwise the battery will drain quickly. To prevent this, the One Button Phone automatically deactivates the location tracking function after 30 minutes.
• Activity: Family members can also access the pedometer data via the app. If you diligently collect steps throughout the day, that's at least an indication that you're feeling well. However, if the pedometer doesn't register any activity for an extended period, it's time for a check-up call.
• Vital data: Values ​​such as blood pressure and pulse provide information about your general health. They are measured by the One Button Phone and then stored in the app. Your relatives will therefore see if any of the values ​​are abnormal.

But these aren't all the advantages of the family app. It also displays the battery level. While this doesn't tell you anything about your health, it informs the app user when it's time to recharge the watch. The app can then remind you if needed. This way, you always know that your One Button Phone is still working and not just hanging limply on your wrist!

Who covers the costs for the home emergency call system?

A personal emergency response system for seniors incurs monthly fees. If you have at least care level 1, you can expect a subsidy of €25.50 per month. This would cover the cost of the basic plan with many providers.

However, many important services are not included. For a control button to confirm that you are well, as well as for smoke detectors and motion sensors, you often have to pay extra. This can add another 25 or even 50 euros or more. If you don't have a care level rating – which isn't easy to obtain – you have to bear the full costs yourself.

The One Button Phone is a smartwatch with an emergency function. Health insurance typically doesn't cover the cost because it's considered an everyday item. However, you can check if your health insurance might subsidize the purchase of a fitness tracker. If so, you could potentially recoup part of the purchase price. Normally, though, you'll have to pay for the One Button Phone yourself. The cost is relatively low, however, and doesn't add up as much as with a home emergency call service.

Of course, you'll have to pay the purchase price. After that, the device won't cost you much more. All you need is an affordable mobile plan. Expensive subscriptions and other monthly fees aren't necessary. Use of all functions is included in the purchase price. However, some of these features require a working mobile network. Feel free to compare different providers to find the cheapest plan. Sometimes there are real bargains, so you only have to pay three or five euros a month.

How do I cancel the home emergency call service?

You'd like to try out a home emergency call service but aren't sure if you'll use it long-term? Then you can, of course, cancel it. Check your contract. The notice period is important. This can be around one month. Then cancel in due time, effective at the end of the month. It's best to do this in writing. A letter or email is sufficient. Get confirmation of the cancellation. You may also need to return any borrowed equipment by a certain date.

Since you don't sign a contract when you buy the One Button Phone, you don't need to worry about cancellation. If you decide within 30 days that you don't want to use the device after all, simply send it back and you'll get a full refund. If you decide later that you no longer need it, you may be able to sell it. Just remember to cancel your mobile phone contract with your provider!

We are so convinced of the One Button Phone's merits that we are certain you won't want to be without this practical device and all its useful features. If you have any problems using it or any further questions, please feel free to contact our support team . You can reach us via chat, email, or telephone.