With a home emergency call system, you can quickly make an emergency call in a dangerous situation, which is then forwarded either to a home emergency call center or to a contact person you have designated. Of course, you need a suitable device for this.

Besides the traditional landline telephone, there are now many other solutions available, some of which can also be used on the go. These include a personal emergency response button that you can simply wear as a bracelet or around your neck, smartwatches with an emergency call function such as our multifunctional One Button Phone, as well as mobile phones or smartphones.

A home emergency call system can be set up using both a smartphone and a basic mobile phone with buttons. The following article explains exactly how this works.

A home emergency call system can save lives.

The risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke increases with age. Other illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia also become more common. Those affected not only experience various physical limitations but are also more prone to falls. If someone is alone at home, they may no longer be able to reach their landline. A mobile emergency call system can be a lifesaver in such situations. The prerequisite, of course, is that it is worn directly on the body, which is theoretically possible with a mobile phone. In the following situations, rapid assistance is crucial and can even save your life:

• Stroke: A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. With every passing moment, more brain cells can die. The faster you receive help, the better your chances of recovery. Severe strokes can even be fatal.
• Heart attack: A heart attack also leads to a life-threatening situation. Especially if major blood vessels are blocked, immediate help is necessary. Therefore, if symptoms occur, you should never wait for improvement, but call emergency services immediately. This can be done quickly with a personal emergency response system connected to your mobile phone.
• Acute shortness of breath: If you have difficulty breathing or even feel like you can't get enough air, you need medical help quickly. The causes of this emergency can be varied. Everything from a pulmonary embolism and pneumonia to an allergic reaction is possible.
• Serious injuries: If you fall at home, it might not be serious. However, it's also possible to injure yourself so severely that you lose a lot of blood. Broken bones can also have serious consequences, sometimes even leading to death.

Even if you are not in a life-threatening situation, you may still require medical assistance. In these cases, you can also benefit from a mobile phone or other mobile emergency call system. A home emergency call system via your mobile phone can help you gain more independence and reduce your reliance on others, allowing you to live independently in your own home for longer. A home emergency call system can also have a positive psychological effect and increase your sense of security. Even your family members benefit, as they can worry less knowing that you can call for help at any time.

Home emergency call via mobile phone – just one solution among many

A home emergency call system can be implemented in various ways. Here we'll explain how you can use your smartphone or mobile phone for emergency calls, but we'll also present a few alternatives, such as our One Button Phone, so you can choose the solution that best suits your needs.

1. Home emergency call via smartphone:

Smartphones have become an integral part of everyday life for many people. However, the older generation often struggles with these modern devices. If you feel confident using a smartphone even in your later years and are curious enough, a personal emergency response system via smartphone might be right for you. You can either use the device's integrated emergency call function or choose an emergency app of your choice.

Smartphones are also true all-rounders that you can use for many other things. Provided you're comfortable using them, you can use the device for brain training or install health apps. For so-called medical apps, health insurance companies even partially cover the costs. These can be used, for example, to monitor your health.

The major drawback of using a smartphone for a personal emergency response system is its often complicated operation. Seniors, in particular, are frequently unfamiliar with the technology or have impaired vision, making smartphone use difficult. In such cases, choosing a smartphone designed for seniors with simplified controls can be beneficial. Additionally, you can ask your family members for assistance with setting up the device and its emergency functions.

Emergency SOS on Android smartphones

Depending on your smartphone model, you can set up a home emergency call in different ways. Android devices have a feature called Emergency SOS. Activating this feature allows you to initiate an emergency call by repeatedly pressing a button, eliminating the need to dial a number or access your phone's address book.

It is possible to make an emergency call by pressing the power button five times. By default, 112 is dialed. However, you also have the option to change the number and specify an emergency contact from your social network. This can be particularly helpful if you need help for minor issues, such as frequently falling out of bed or getting lost.

Emergency SOS on the iPhone

The iPhone also offers an emergency call function that can be activated by pressing a button. The emergency call can be activated by pressing and holding the side and volume buttons. Alternatively, you can quickly press the side button five times in succession. A countdown will then begin. If you let it run out without interrupting it, the emergency call will be placed.

Just like with Android devices, you can also add your own emergency contacts on your iPhone. This works via the Health app. These contacts will be notified as soon as you make an emergency call from your iPhone. They will also receive your location information.

Bring your home emergency call system to your mobile phone – install the app

If you don't like the pre-installed emergency call solutions from the manufacturers, you can also set up your own home emergency call system on your mobile phone and install an app of your choice.

A prominent example of this is nora. This is the official emergency call app of the German federal states, which you can use free of charge. With nora, you can not only make an emergency call, but your location is also transmitted so that emergency services can find you, even if you don't know where you are or if you are no longer able to speak.

The use of such an emergency call app naturally requires that you still possess your motor skills, that you actually have your smartphone with you in case of an emergency, and that it has sufficient battery power.

Digital emergency pass on your smartphone

Both Android smartphones and iPhones allow you to create a digital emergency ID card, which is then visible on the lock screen, giving other people access to it. This emergency ID card allows you to store emergency contacts as well as important medical information for responding emergency personnel.

On an iPhone, you can set up your Medical ID via the Health app. On Android, go to Settings and then tap on the "Safety & Emergency" tab. You should now be presented with various options. Tap on "Medical Information" and enter everything that might be relevant in a medical emergency.

Warning apps inform you about impending dangers.

You can install not only an emergency call app but also a warning app on your smartphone. This will notify you if there is a warning message in your area, for example, about a fire or a natural disaster. This is especially useful if your hearing is impaired and you can no longer hear sirens or loudspeaker announcements. The NINA app from the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Relief is recommended. You can also receive warning messages via the mobile network.

The alternative – send an emergency call to other smartphones

Perhaps you'd prefer to leave the operation of a smartphone to a family member and limit yourself to a very simple solution like an emergency button. Models are available that you can wear around your neck or wrist. When you press the button, an alert is sent to your family member's smartphone.

However, this only works if the emergency button and the smartphone are not too far apart. They usually need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. This option is therefore only suitable if you live in the same house as others. For example, if you live in an apartment within your children's house, you can call for help this way. Even if a caregiver is always present, you can send them an emergency call using this solution.

Our One Button Phone offers even greater range! It's a smartwatch specially designed for seniors that you can wear on your wrist at all times. Using the convenient family app, a relative can monitor your vital signs and location. They can also receive emergency calls on their smartphone, which you can then send with the touch of a button on the One Button Phone. Give yourself added peace of mind and try our user-friendly option today!

2. Home emergency call via a keypad mobile phone

Since many older people find smartphones difficult to use, some resort to traditional mobile phones with physical buttons to make calls. Special models for seniors are even equipped with larger buttons for easier operation.

Many feature phones have a large, easily accessible SOS button on the back. In an emergency, you don't have to dial 112; you simply press the button. This can be a huge advantage, especially when time is of the essence.

Emergency call or warning apps cannot be installed on a feature phone. Furthermore, the screen is often very small, which can be a problem for seniors. However, feature phones are generally inexpensive to buy. They also have a compact size and therefore fit even better in a trouser pocket than a bulky smartphone.

3. Home emergency call system with connection to a central control room

If neither a modern smartphone nor a robust feature phone is right for you, you can also opt for a simple emergency button that you only need to press. This usually sends an emergency call to a connected home emergency call center. Staff there are always on call to assist you. If necessary, someone will come to your home and help you. If needed, the staff will also call the emergency services directly.

This type of home emergency call system can be combined with other devices such as smoke detectors or fall sensors, further increasing the level of safety. While this all sounds very good at first, it comes at a high cost, as this service isn't free. Depending on the services you choose from the respective provider, you should expect monthly fees of around €25 to €80. This adds up quickly over the years.

4. Smartwatch as a home emergency call system

Another alternative to a mobile phone-based emergency call system is a smartwatch. It's worn comfortably on the wrist, just like a traditional emergency button. The emergency call function allows you to directly contact emergency services or an emergency contact. However, this solution can also be quite complicated to use. Therefore, you should choose a device that is intuitive to operate.

The One Button Phone for Seniors

The One Button Phone was specifically designed for the needs of seniors. Unlike a traditional smartwatch or smartphone, you don't have to worry about complicated operation.

Instead, the device was designed so that all essential functions – including the emergency call – can be controlled with just one button. This makes it easy to make an emergency call, even in stressful situations. The One Button Phone simply needs to be set up beforehand using a smartphone or a family app. Alternatively, one of your family members can do this on their device. Once the setup is complete, you can use the One Button Phone without a smartphone.

Our sophisticated device not only offers the ability to make an emergency call, but also many other practical functions . Some of these can also be useful to you in an emergency situation.

Thanks to its integrated fall sensor, the One Button Phone detects when you fall to the ground and automatically makes an emergency call. You don't even have to press a button. So, if you're unconscious or disoriented due to the fall, you can still rest assured that someone will be notified.

GPS tracking is also particularly useful. As soon as you make an emergency call, your emergency contact is informed of your location. Even if you don't know where you are, you can still get help!

Test the device's functions

Increase your safety, improve your independence, and give your loved ones peace of mind by choosing the One Button Phone. We understand you might want to try it out first. That's why we offer a 30-day trial period. During this time, you can thoroughly test the emergency call function, fall detection, and all other features. If anything isn't as you expect, simply return the One Button Phone and we'll refund your purchase price.

However, if you opt for this device, you can benefit from an affordable and reliable home emergency call solution, which we consider an even better alternative to a smartphone-based emergency call system. After all, you always carry the One Button Phone close to you, so it's ready to use at any time. Furthermore, unlike with a commercial home emergency call service, you don't have to pay any monthly fees apart from your mobile provider's costs.

Conclusion

Connecting a personal emergency response system to your mobile phone is therefore no problem. You can use it to make emergency calls, directly inform the emergency services or relatives, transmit your location, and even receive warning messages.

This solution is only suitable for you if you're comfortable using it and remember to charge your smartphone regularly. Phones with physical buttons generally require less power, but their functions are more limited. Even though smartphones and mobile phones are portable, it's still easy to misplace your device and then not have it handy when you need it.

That's why we tend to favor a solution you can wear on your wrist. Our One Button Phone is lightweight and, thanks to its SIM card slot, can also be used easily outside the home. At the same time, it offers the same or similar emergency call options as a smartphone. Simply press the designated button and request help. Setting up a private home emergency call system is that easy!