Many older people struggle with smartphones and other modern technology. They continue to use their landline phones, but in doing so, they forgo greater security. With a modern emergency phone worn at all times, you can quickly call for help not only at home but also when you're away from home. We're thinking in particular of the One Button Phone, a smartwatch specifically designed for seniors. Worn on the wrist, it's incredibly easy to use thanks to its prominent emergency button. It even automatically detects falls!
Dangers for seniors in the home
Did you leave your key inside and now can't get in? Perhaps you were simply momentarily careless and accidentally set your kitchen on fire, or you're suffering a heart attack and need immediate medical attention.
The list of dangers lurking in a senior's home is practically endless. But you don't have to live in constant fear. Instead, you can increase safety in your home by adapting it to seniors and by installing an emergency phone!
It absolutely must have a large SOS button so that, in a rush of adrenaline or pain, you don't have to dial a number or search for a contact in your phonebook. It's much better if, like with a one-button phone, you can simply press one button!
Danger number 1: Falls with devastating consequences
The risk of falls increases rapidly with age. The causes are varied and can differ greatly:
- Declining eyesight and often impaired hearing make falls more likely.
- At the same time, many people lose mobility and coordination skills as they age, so mistakes happen more quickly.
- Many seniors take medications that can cause dizziness and balance problems.
- Others fall precisely because they are constantly afraid of falling. This makes them insecure.
- Additional hazards in the home include loose cables or raised carpet edges. Such sources of danger should be eliminated as far as possible.
A minor fall doesn't always have serious consequences, but it can also lead to severe health problems. Sometimes, those affected are unable to get up. The path to the landline phone in the next room then seems insurmountable. In such situations, it's incredibly reassuring to know that you're carrying an emergency phone and simply need to press the large button. With the One Button Phone, falls are even detected by the device itself! Provided the fall sensor is activated, the small mini-phone registers unusual movement patterns and then alerts the emergency contact.
Danger number 2: Standing in front of a locked door
Forgetfulness also increases with age. To a certain extent, this is normal. However, it can also be a symptom of serious dementia. Regardless of the cause, forgetfulness repeatedly leads to minor and major disasters in everyday life. If you misplace the remote control and it takes you a while to find it again, that's obviously not a big deal.
Things get more complicated if you repeatedly leave your house key inside and keep finding yourself locked out. Calling a locksmith every time would get quite expensive. You've probably already considered leaving a spare key with someone you trust. But how are you supposed to contact them when you're standing outside your front door and your landline is inside, nice and warm? Of course, you could ask a neighbor for help, but do you really know your emergency contact number by heart?
We recommend choosing an emergency phone like the One Button Phone, which you wear on your wrist like a watch. Even if you forget your keys, jacket, or even your shoes inside, you'll have your emergency phone with you! Now you can simply call your pre-designated emergency contact and ask them to bring your keys.
Reason number 3: It's on fire!
House and apartment fires can be caused by technically defective electrical appliances, but also by carelessness and human error. The cause is irrelevant at first! As soon as a fire breaks out, you should get to safety and leave your home as quickly as possible. Even the smoke can be extremely dangerous. So don't hesitate, get outside – and as fast as you can. You can then call for help from a safe distance using your One Button Phone, as the device also works outside your home. With a SIM card, the One Button Phone accesses the mobile network, allowing you to make calls almost anywhere, just like with a smartphone!
Reason number 4: Beware of scammers!
Unfortunately, there are numerous scammers who specifically target senior citizens. They suddenly appear at the doorstep and claim to be from the police, or they call and pretend to be a grandchild who has fallen on hard times.
Always be vigilant and don't immediately believe everything you're told. If someone shows up at your door making wild claims, you can use the One Button Phone to call your emergency contact and ask for advice. At the same time, the device protects you from fraudulent calls thanks to its sophisticated whitelist function! This allows you to specify who is allowed to call you. Calls from other numbers won't even get through.
If you're having trouble with the settings, a trusted friend can help you. Setting up the One Button Phone is easy using the handy family app !
Reason number 5: health problems
It's no secret that the risk of many illnesses increases with age. If you notice symptoms that weren't there before, you should always have them checked by a doctor, as the progression of many diseases can be significantly slowed. With the right treatment, you can often live well for many more years – in some cases, you can even remain in your familiar surroundings. However, you should definitely take additional precautions and at least get an emergency phone!
- Cardiovascular diseases: High blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and cardiac arrhythmias are common in older people. Depending on the specific condition, this can lead to various consequences such as dizziness, fatigue, or even a full-blown heart attack. An emergency phone like the One Button Phone can be a lifesaver in such situations.
- Dementia: People with dementia often experience significant restlessness and frequently wander around, repeatedly getting lost. An emergency phone can be very helpful in such situations. If the person suddenly realizes they no longer know where they are, they can call for help.
- Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is particularly common among older people. If the disease is diagnosed and well-treated, it is manageable. Living alone is usually not a problem. However, if an elderly person is unaware that they have diabetes and suddenly experiences hypoglycemia, it is a medical emergency!
- Parkinson's disease causes movement disorders. This increases the risk of falls, for example. Those affected should definitely get an emergency phone, ideally one with a fall sensor – like the One Button Phone!
Aside from these examples, there are many other illnesses that can affect seniors. Generally speaking, the risk of heart attacks and strokes increases with age. Both can be life-threatening. The faster you can call for help, the higher your chances of survival! Don't miss out on the extra peace of mind that the One Button Phone can offer, and check out our latest model now.
The emergency phone – these are the available options
For seniors, an emergency phone is therefore an important tool for living a safe and independent life. Now you might be wondering what options are available to you. Theoretically, there are various options, but not all of them are equally suitable.
1. Landline telephone
You probably have a regular telephone at home that you use to make your calls. Today's devices rarely have a traditional telephone line anymore; instead, they mostly work via VoIP, i.e., over the internet. However, they can be used much like the landline phones of the past and are therefore a familiar option for seniors.
They are perfectly adequate for making a doctor's appointment or calling a good friend for a chat. However, they are only of limited use as emergency phones. This is partly because they are hardly portable. While they can be carried around the house, they are useless outside the range of the base station. Furthermore, such a device is worthless if it's lying in the living room while you fall in the bathtub. A separate SOS button, like the one found on a One Button Phone, is also typically missing on traditional phones.
2. Smartphone
These mobile phones are true all-rounders, allowing you not only to make calls but also to listen to music, watch videos, and send messages. The only question is: Do you really need all that? If you wouldn't use the smart features of modern mobile phones anyway, there's no need to buy one of these expensive devices.
Furthermore, it's worth noting that a dedicated SOS button is often missing. Special smartphones designed for seniors are an exception. Standard smartphones, on the other hand, don't offer user-friendly operation for seniors. The screen tiles are small, and the text is even smaller. On top of that, there are so many functions and settings that older people can quickly become overwhelmed.
One advantage of smartphones, however, is that they also work on the go. Nevertheless, we recommend choosing a wrist-worn model, as you're less likely to forget it at home. A smartphone, on the other hand, can easily be left behind. Then you might suddenly find yourself at the bus stop realizing you don't have your emergency phone with you.
3. Smartwatch
A smartwatch is essentially a small smartphone that you wear on your wrist. However, to make calls with it, it needs its own SIM card. Otherwise, it would be useless without a corresponding smartphone. Most standard smartwatch models on the market have an emergency function. This can be activated by repeatedly pressing certain buttons or via a menu on the screen. Smartwatches with a dedicated SOS button are even better. The One Button Phone is one such example! The great thing is that the button isn't just for making emergency calls; it can also control all other important functions . This makes it extremely user-friendly, especially for seniors.
This is how the emergency call works on the One Button Phone
To help you better understand how the One Button Phone can help you in emergency situations, we would like to explain how the emergency call function works:
- You or a family member can specify three emergency contacts via the family app.
- If you press and hold the button on the display, the first contact will be dialed. If they don't answer, the call will be forwarded to the second and finally to the third contact.
- You can speak to your emergency contact via the hands-free function. You don't need to hold the One Button Phone to your ear.
- As soon as you initiate the SOS call, an SMS will also be sent to your emergency contact with your location information.
Be sure to choose an emergency smartwatch with GPS functionality.
To ensure your emergency phone is helpful in various situations, you should pay close attention to the available features. The One Button Phone, for example, is a model that not only has a prominent SOS button but also a GPS module. This allows the watch to determine your location, which can be a huge advantage if you are lost or unresponsive. If you wish, you can also connect the watch to a family member's smartphone. They can then simply install the family app on their smartphone and use it to check your location.
A fall detection system is also essential.
Finally, your emergency phone should have fall sensors. This only makes sense, of course, if you wear it on your person, like the One Button Phone. The fall detection system will sound an alarm if you fall. To avoid constant false alarms, the One Button Phone offers the option to reduce the sensor sensitivity or even deactivate it completely, giving you full control.
