Do you no longer feel safe at home, but want to stay in your familiar surroundings? Then a senior emergency call system might be able to help. With it, you can call for help at any time. This isn't just good for you to know; your worried relatives will thank you too.

Here we discuss four common types of modern emergency call systems for seniors and explain how the emergency call can be triggered, how high the costs are in each case, how senior-friendly the operation is and which additional functions are advantageous, so that you can make an informed purchase decision.

4 emergency call systems for seniors compared

There are now various emergency call systems for seniors that can make everyday life easier and provide greater security in your home. We'll show you the differences:

1. The One Button Phone: This small, compact device is worn like a watch on the wrist, so you always have this emergency call system for seniors with you. You can't easily leave it on the bus or on the kitchen table. It has an emergency call button, fall detection, and is equipped with other practical features such as a pedometer and an alarm clock.
2. Home emergency call system: With this type of system, you enter into a contract with a provider who supplies you with emergency call devices for your home and is available on call 24 hours a day. Depending on the provider, you can add features to the basic services, such as key storage, fall detectors, smoke detectors, and much more. However, these additional features can be quite expensive, so it's not necessarily a cheap option.
3. Smartphone or mobile phone: Do you already have a mobile phone or smartphone at home? Theoretically, you could also use that as an emergency call system for seniors. However, standard models rarely have a separate emergency button, and not all of them have fall sensors.
4. GPS trackers: These are worn around the neck or on the wrist and determine your location. Models designed for seniors also feature a large emergency button that can be activated if needed. A SIM card is required for them to function on the go. They are relatively simple in design. The One Button Phone, on the other hand, offers everything a GPS tracker can – and much more!

Making an emergency call – these are the options

In an emergency, it's not just important that an emergency call can be made at all. The method used to do so is equally crucial. Imagine you suffer a heart attack and are unable to think clearly due to the pain, or you lose consciousness due to circulatory problems. Whatever happens, you should always be able to make an emergency call. However, the process for doing so can vary significantly depending on the specific emergency call system for seniors.

At the touch of a button – convenient and fast!

We recommend emergency call systems like the One Button Phone, which features an SOS button that simply needs to be pressed in critical situations. It should be easy to find and ideally stand out visually from the rest of the device. Such emergency buttons are also found on GPS trackers and many devices from home emergency call providers. However, the One Button Phone stands out from these alternatives with its extensive range of functions, such as vital sign monitoring and an alarm clock.

Using a keyboard shortcut – which can be cumbersome.

If you choose a smartphone or mobile phone as your emergency call system, you often have to trigger the emergency call by pressing several buttons simultaneously or repeatedly pressing a single button. This requires memorizing the combination, which is easy to forget. After all, you don't usually make an emergency call every day. In the heat of the moment, you might just press buttons randomly, and nothing happens. With the One Button Phone, however, you simply hold down the clearly visible blue button, and your first emergency contact is called.

Using the keypad – can cost valuable time

If you don't know or have forgotten the emergency call code, you can, of course, use your mobile phone's regular keypad, but this is rather impractical in stressful situations. First, you have to open the keypad on the device and then manage to enter the correct number. If your hands are trembling with tension or you already have problems with fine motor skills, this can take a lot of time. And you might not have that time in an emergency!

Automatic fall detection – perfect for seniors

Make sure you choose an emergency call system for seniors that has fall detection, because only then will an emergency call be triggered if you fall and are unable to call for help yourself. Some GPS trackers have this function. Occasionally, there are also home emergency call providers that offer mobile emergency call devices with fall detection.

In any case, the One Button Phone is equipped with fall sensors! You can even adjust their sensitivity individually, thus reducing the risk of false alarms. If the device detects a fall, an emergency call is triggered and your emergency contacts are notified, just as they would be if you made an emergency call yourself. Your location is also transmitted.

In case you fall and nothing serious happens, you can reassure your emergency contact via the hands-free system that you are okay. This will also put your loved ones at ease!

Using a smartphone app – only suitable to a limited extent

Emergency call apps for smartphones can be a great help if you don't know which number to call in a dangerous situation, or if you are not familiar with the emergency button combinations of your own device.

One of the best-known applications is the emergency call app from the German federal states. It's called nora and is particularly suitable for people who have difficulty speaking or hearing. They can use the app to call 110 or 112 (the German emergency number). Their location is transmitted directly. Chat communication is also possible. For people with these limitations, such an app can be a real asset, but for the average senior citizen, this solution is only partially suitable because one problem remains: the user needs to be at least somewhat familiar with smartphones and be able to open and operate the app even in a stressful situation.

The same applies to other emergency call apps where emergency services can be contacted via a dedicated button. Such applications tend to appeal more to younger, tech-savvy individuals. Seniors, on the other hand, often benefit from simpler solutions like the One Button Phone, where you simply press a button to trigger an emergency call. Since the One Button Phone also features GPS tracking, location transmission is possible even if the person is unable to speak.

All OK button – for monitoring their activities

This feature is frequently used by home emergency call providers. It doesn't directly trigger an emergency call, but if you don't press the "Everything OK" button at the agreed-upon time each day, the on-call service will follow up to check if you're alright. Like all services offered by a home emergency call provider, this service also costs money. If you'd like to save on the monthly fees, consider using the One Button Phone instead and agree on a time each day with a family member to check in and let them know everything is okay. If you happen to forget, your family member can simply call you on the small device on your wrist to check in. They can also check your location using the family app.

Selecting an emergency contact – who is suitable?

If you're looking into emergency call systems, you've probably already asked yourself who should be notified in an emergency. There are various options, some of which may be suitable depending on the individual situation – or not. However, not all emergency call systems offer sufficient flexibility for seniors.

People from one's private circle

Many seniors want to list people from their personal circle as emergency contacts. They can then turn to them even if it's not a medical emergency, but rather if the stove stops working, they've locked themselves out, or the dishwasher has leaked.

Private emergency contacts can be entered on your smartphone or mobile phone, for example. This is also possible with a One Button Phone. The latter offers the additional advantage that you can save up to three emergency contacts, who will then be called sequentially in an emergency. The call chain is only interrupted when one of them answers.

If you opt for a professional home emergency call system, you will generally always reach the on-call service. That's the service you're paying for, after all. Private emergency contacts are not included in these systems.

Official emergency numbers such as 110 or 112

In a genuine emergency, you can, of course, dial 112 or 110. You can save these numbers as emergency contacts on your smartphone or one-button phone. 110 is the correct number to call if you need police assistance, while 112 should be called if you require medical help or support from the fire department. If you save these numbers as emergency contacts, you should only press the emergency button if you truly need help from the emergency services. Otherwise, things could quickly go wrong!

On-call service of a home emergency call service

Let's assume you opt for a home emergency call service that provides you with emergency call devices and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In this case, you will be connected to an on-call service as soon as you press the emergency button.

The employee on the other end of the line will then speak with you and, depending on the situation, call the emergency services, send their own staff, or inform a contact person from your personal network so they can check on you. If you are unresponsive, they will also ensure that you receive assistance and will usually call the ambulance service.

While this service is convenient, many seniors rarely use it. If you don't want to pay a lot of money every month but still want more security, you can opt for the One Button Phone instead. You only need to buy it once, without any subscription. The only monthly costs are your mobile phone bill, which can be very low depending on your plan.

Operation – suitable for seniors and easy to understand?

For a chosen emergency call system to be truly useful, you need to be able to use it – ideally without having to think about it too much. That's why it's important that the device has a simple emergency button! This is the case with mobile emergency call devices from home emergency call providers, GPS trackers with an SOS function, and of course, one-button phones! They can therefore be used even by seniors who aren't very tech-savvy. Furthermore, people with dementia often manage well with such simple systems.

A senior-friendly user interface includes intuitive, self-explanatory menu navigation. With the One Button Phone, you can easily navigate through the functions using the single button. For setup, you can contact the person you want to designate as your speed dial contact. They can download the family app to their smartphone and configure all the necessary settings. Once this is done, the One Button Phone can be used without assistance or any additional devices. This is a real boon for many seniors, who don't want to deal with the operation of yet another mobile device.

Smartphones with complex apps, on the other hand, tend to be less user-friendly. Due to the small screen size and numerous functions, they are not always suitable for seniors. Furthermore, age can lead to limitations in vision or motor skills, making the operation of such devices even more difficult.

Features – what should a good emergency call system offer?

The functions of the emergency call systems for seniors that we have mentioned vary considerably. Here we list the ones we consider indispensable:

• Emergency call button: Almost all emergency call systems for seniors have an emergency call button. Smartphones and mobile phones often lack this feature, but these are not specifically designed for older people.
• Fall detection: You absolutely shouldn't do without this feature! The One Button Phone naturally has it. But it's far from standard on mobile devices from home emergency call providers, GPS trackers, or smartphones!
• GPS tracking: Especially if you like to leave the house and have a strong urge to move around, you should opt for an emergency call system that includes a GPS emergency transmitter . This includes GPS trackers and, of course, the One Button Phone! Smartphones can also usually determine your location.
• Additional features: There are also a few features that aren't necessarily helpful in emergencies, but are still well-suited for seniors. We think that a pedometer, pulse and blood pressure monitoring, regular phone calls, and an alarm clock are simply practical! The One Button Phone meets all these requirements and is therefore an excellent choice for seniors who want a multifunctional solution.

Possible areas of application – usable at home and on the go?

The emergency call systems for seniors that we have presented here are primarily intended for use in one's own apartment or house. Even better, however, is killing two birds with one stone and using the devices on the go, thus enjoying convenient all-round protection in everyday life.

You can also use these devices on the go.

When you book a home emergency call service, you are often provided with mobile devices such as necklaces or bracelets. In many cases, though not always, these only work within range of the base station, making them useless outside the home. The following emergency call systems for seniors, however, are reliable companions even when you're out and about:

• GPS trackers: If the GPS tracker can be combined with a SIM card, it usually also works outside the home. However, this is not the case with all devices. Therefore, inform yourself carefully before buying.
• Smartphones and mobile phones: Of course, you can easily take your smartphone or mobile phone with you. They work anywhere you have good mobile reception. However, since you don't carry them directly on your body like a GPS tracker or a one-button phone, they might be at home instead of in your jacket pocket when you need them most. So, if you're already a bit forgetful, this isn't the best solution.
• One Button Phone: The One Button Phone is perfect for mobile use because it can be equipped with a SIM card and functions completely independently. Compared to a GPS tracker, it has the advantage of offering many other functions. These include a pedometer and a regular phone function, because not every situation requires an immediate emergency call!

It won't work without a SIM card.

To use your senior emergency call system on your way to the bakery, during a walk in the neighborhood, or while strolling through the city center, it needs its own SIM card slot. If it doesn't, it may only work in combination with a smartphone, which you would then also need to have with you. When you order the One Button Phone, you'll receive a suitable SIM card from Vodafone directly with it. So you don't have to worry about finding a mobile provider and ordering a card from them. Of course, you don't have to use the Vodafone SIM card. If you prefer a different mobile provider, that's no problem at all!

Costs for the emergency call system – what you can expect

Unfortunately, the technology for your emergency call system isn't free. While some solutions may be eligible for subsidies from your long-term care insurance, in many cases you'll have to cover a portion of the costs yourself. This is especially true if you want more than just basic functions.

If you don't have a care level rating, you won't receive any additional support, but you might still long for more security, simply because you're noticing you're getting older or because you live alone and don't feel entirely comfortable. That's why we're telling you here what costs you can expect:

• Home emergency call service: You should expect to pay at least €25 per month for a home emergency call service. However, this usually only covers the basic services. If you want more features, you can easily end up paying double or even triple that amount. Furthermore, you'll be paying these costs continuously. This can quickly add up to a significant sum for a service you might not even use very often.
• Mobile phone or smartphone: With a mobile phone or smartphone, you first have to pay the initial purchase price. This can be under €100 or over €1,000. It always depends on the device and its features. In addition, you have to pay monthly fees to the mobile network provider. However, these are usually quite reasonable. Affordable plans are available for as little as €5 to €10 per month.
• GPS trackers: Models with an emergency call button cost around 100 to 200 euros, which doesn't seem like much at first, but is perhaps a bit much for a device with so few functions. Mobile network charges also need to be factored in.
• One Button Phone: The One Button Phone impresses with its excellent value for money. It currently costs only €299 and offers numerous features, long battery life, and simple, senior-friendly operation. Mobile network charges are additional. However, these are a worthwhile investment, as you can also use the device to make regular phone calls and stay in touch with friends and family.

Feel free to test the One Button Phone for 30 days and find out if it meets your needs. If it doesn't, simply pack it up and send it back. You'll then be refunded the purchase price. So you're taking no risk and can familiarize yourself with the device at your leisure.

You can save even more by taking advantage of special offers or buying a used One Button Phone. Plus, there are a number of spare parts available that you can easily purchase, so you don't have to buy a whole new One Button Phone for minor defects like a broken wristband!

Feel free to browse our high-quality accessories in the online shop. There you'll also find screen protectors that help keep your device in good condition for longer, so it doesn't need to be replaced so quickly.