An unsteady gait can quickly lead to falls, which in turn can result in serious injuries and fractures. Cardiovascular diseases and memory loss also increase with age. Many seniors therefore desire a way to quickly call for help. A private emergency phone can provide assistance when needed and help maintain a high standard of living even in old age. You can choose from various solutions, which we explain in detail in our blog article. We also discuss which purchasing criteria you should consider and why we believe the One Button Phone is the ideal emergency phone for seniors.

Solution number 1: The landline phone with an SOS button

If you're approaching an age where you could easily be considered a senior, chances are you still have a traditional landline phone at home. You can certainly use that as an emergency phone. However, a special phone for seniors with an emergency button would be even better. These models have a dedicated SOS button that you simply press in an emergency to place a call.

The clear disadvantage of this solution is that the location is determined by the landline connection or modem. However, some senior-friendly phones can also be combined with a mobile emergency button. You can then wear this on your person and call for help from the bathroom or bedroom.

Solution number 2: The modern smartphone

Perhaps you belong to the group of seniors who still enjoy using modern technology even in their later years. In that case, you can also use a smartphone as a senior emergency phone. However, keep in mind that these technologically advanced devices have a wide range of functions, constantly receive updates, and have relatively small screens. Furthermore, traditional models unfortunately usually don't have dedicated emergency buttons.

Instead, you have to make the SOS emergency call using a key combination or manually via the digital dial buttons. If you're ever really stressed and don't know what to do, this can be quite annoying. Instead, we recommend a smart solution that offers senior-friendly operation and also has a prominent emergency call button: Take a look at the One Button Phone . It's a small smartphone that you wear on your wrist.

Solution number 3: The smartwatch with emergency function

Smartwatches are closely related to smartphones. They are also multifunctional devices that allow you to make calls, send messages, and even listen to music.

Just like with smartphones, seniors often have trouble using them – but not with the One Button Phone! This small device can be controlled with just one button, making it super intuitive. It also features only selected functions that are perfectly tailored to seniors.

The One Button Phone features an SOS emergency button, fall detection, vital sign monitoring, and GPS tracking. Explore the features for yourself and discover the benefits of this senior-friendly smartwatch!

Installation of an emergency telephone

Whether and how you need to install an emergency phone depends on which option you choose. Different steps are required depending on the type. We'll discuss the various options here so you get a better idea of ​​what to expect.

Install and set up a landline phone with an SOS button

If you choose a landline phone with an SOS button, you will need to take the following steps:

• The telephone must be connected to the landline in your apartment. For this, you will need a special telephone cable, which is then plugged into the corresponding port. This port must be a telephone connection unit marked with the letter "F," which stands for long-distance telephone.
• If you have an internet connection at home, you can also connect the telephone to your modem and then make calls over the internet using Voice over IP (VoIP). The cable is simply plugged into the modem.
• After connecting the phone, pick up the handset and check if you hear a dial tone. If so, the device has been successfully connected and you can now make calls.
• Now you need to save your emergency contacts so that they are actually called when the emergency button is pressed. How this works can vary greatly depending on the device. Usually, you have to navigate through the phone's menu and enter everything manually, which can be very tedious and time-consuming.

If you have any trouble setting up and connecting your landline phone, you should read the instructions. Many questions will be answered there. You might also be able to get help from someone you know. Why not ask your children? Your otherwise very tech-savvy grandchildren, however, are not the right people to ask. Landline phones may already be a relic from a bygone era to them, something they have no use for anymore. But they will certainly be happy to help you set up our One Button Phone. This can be done using an app on your smartphone.

Setting up your smartphone and defining emergency contacts

Are you ready to tackle a smartphone in your old age? Then read on to find out what you need to consider when setting it up:

• Insert your mobile provider's SIM card and fully charge the device once. Then switch it on.
• The device will guide you through the installation. Follow the steps and create the required account. Depending on the manufacturer or operating system, a Google account or an Apple account, for example, may be necessary. Ensure your password is strong!
• During the setup process, you will need to select your language and configure your Wi-Fi network. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password. You can usually find this on the underside of your router.
• Once the device has been set up, you still need to enter important phone numbers of friends, family, and doctors into the phone book.
• Additionally, set up an emergency contact. On Android devices, you can do this by opening Settings, then going to "Security & emergencies," and then to "Emergency SOS." The default number is 112, but you can change it manually. On iPhones, you can use the Health app to set up contacts.

Unfortunately, the settings mentioned above aren't all there is to it. You have to manually configure many small details on your smartphone. These include how you want to unlock your device, which apps are allowed to access your location, and whether you want haptic feedback. This means that the smartphone vibrates slightly with every input. This can be useful, for example, if you want feedback from the device. However, many users also find it annoying.

Setting up a smartphone isn't entirely straightforward. Furthermore, it's easy to accidentally change a setting and then not be able to find it again in the complex settings menu. On conventional smartphones, the display is also often unsuitable for older people. Tiles and text are simply too small, making operation potentially tiring.

Of course, you can also ask someone you know for help in this case. However, keep in mind that you will need to be able to use the device independently in everyday life. Thanks to its senior-friendly design, this is usually not a problem with the One Button Phone!

Setting up the One Button Phone is child's play using the family app.

The third option for a phone with emergency call functionality is the smartwatch. However, it has the same disadvantages in terms of setup and use as a smartphone: it's simply not as suitable for older people who aren't very tech-savvy. That's why we're focusing specifically on the One Button Phone here, because it has everything a senior-friendly emergency phone should offer!

• First, you need to insert the SIM card into the One Button Phone. Simply use the included card or one from another mobile provider. We're not telling you which to use.
• To set it up, you'll need the One Button Phone, a smartphone, and our family app . The smartphone doesn't have to belong to you! Instead, a close friend or relative can use their device and download the app.
• You can find the app in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Simply enter "One Button Phone" as the search term and install the app.
• The app will now guide you through the setup process. For example, you can enter phone numbers into your One Button Phone's phonebook and set up to three SOS emergency numbers.

Once the setup is complete, you no longer need your smartphone. Now you can conveniently use your emergency call phone for seniors in your everyday life without having to worry about installation or setup. You simply operate it using the single, clearly visible button on the front. You should be able to find it even if your eyesight isn't what it used to be. Your relative can still check your location or view your vital signs via the family app – pretty handy, isn't it?

Purchase criteria – features, ease of use and price

After outlining the differences between the various emergency call phone solutions for seniors and explaining the installation and setup process, we will conclude by discussing the purchasing criteria. These will help you choose the right emergency call phone for your needs.

Features – what your emergency phone should be able to do

Which features your senior-friendly phone with emergency call function actually needs naturally depends on your individual requirements. Therefore, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. However, here you can find out which features are generally advantageous or might become useful to you later in life as you get older:

• SOS button: Clearly, any emergency phone, mobile phone, or smartwatch should have a clearly visible, separate emergency button that you simply press. On the One Button Phone, its blue color makes it stand out clearly from the rest of the design.
• Telephone function: Ideally, your emergency phone should also allow you to make regular phone calls. This way, it's not only helpful in emergency situations but also in everyday life, and the more useful your senior-friendly emergency phone is, the more likely you are to carry it with you every day.
• Fall detection: This eliminates stationary solutions like landline phones. However, smartwatches sometimes have fall detection and will sound an alarm if they detect a downward movement and no one moves afterward. With the One Button Phone, you can even adjust the sensitivity of the fall detection.
• GPS tracking: Even in old age, you have a right to privacy. Sharing your location with someone can offer both you and the other person a greater sense of security. That's why it's quite practical if your emergency phone for seniors has this feature. Incidentally, GPS tracking is also helpful when reporting an emergency. With the One Button Phone, your location is simply transmitted to your emergency contact.
• Pulse and blood pressure measurement: We believe that additional health features are always beneficial as we age. Even if you don't suffer from high blood pressure and your pulse isn't abnormal, it can be helpful to monitor these values ​​regularly and consult a doctor if you notice any abnormalities. Naturally, vital data measurement is integrated into the One Button Phone.
• Pedometer: Want to stay fit as you get older? Then opt for a phone for seniors with an emergency call function and pedometer. It makes monitoring your daily activity incredibly easy.

User-friendliness – how accessible is your emergency phone?

Here we are not only talking about a simple and, above all, intuitive form of operation, but also about other factors that we have summarized for you here:

• Mobility: Mobile devices are easier to take with you, but do you really always do that? How often does your smartphone stay on the kitchen table while you're gardening or going to the bathroom? The smaller and lighter the device, the better. Ideally, you should be able to carry it directly on your body – like the One Button Phone!
• Comfort: A wristband that's too tight quickly leads to you taking off your smartwatch with emergency call function. Fortunately, the One Button Phone has an adjustable wristband that fits comfortably around your wrist, ensuring a high level of comfort. If your wrists swell slightly in the summer, you can simply loosen the strap a little.
• Readability: To operate the device correctly, the text on the screen should be easily legible. This is achieved through a large display size and good screen quality.
• Battery life: Yes, this aspect also contributes to user-friendliness. Imagine having to charge your mobile emergency phone daily, only to find it dead if you forgot just once. Therefore, it's essential to choose a device with a long battery life. The One Button Phone lasts up to four days without needing a recharge, although this naturally depends on whether and how often you use GPS tracking.

The price – what should a good emergency phone cost?

Let's not beat around the bush: You're probably wondering how much all this will cost. The answer, as is so often the case, is: It depends. Landline phones with an emergency call button are generally not very expensive and are often available for just over 100 euros. However, they also have very limited functionality.

Smartphones offer significantly more features, but they also cost accordingly. The price range is enormous, somewhere between €100 and over €1,000. The One Button Phone, on the other hand, is in the affordable mid-range and is currently available for the regular price of €299. However, it is occasionally discounted. You can also buy used devices and save a considerable amount of money that way.

It's important to consider the device's features in relation to its price. Which features do you absolutely need? Which can you do without? Do you really need a smartphone with four rear cameras and a 4K screen? No? Then you don't need to spend €1,000.

Is a simple landline phone sufficient for you, but unfortunately it lacks practical health features like vital signs monitoring or a pedometer? If your answer to this is also "no," then the One Button Phone is the perfect middle ground for you – a device that is definitely worth its price!