A senior-friendly emergency call wristwatch is a small, compact device worn on the wrist like a normal watch. However, it offers many additional functions. The most important is the emergency call function. The One Button Phone, for example, has a large emergency button on the front that can be activated by pressing and holding it.
Imagine you suddenly fall and can't get up on your own, or you suffer a heart attack and need immediate medical help. In such situations, wearing a senior-friendly wristwatch and calling for help at the touch of a button can be invaluable. Read our blog article to learn more about the various functions of an emergency call wristwatch and the different models available.
What types of emergency call watches are there?
If you're looking for an SOS wristwatch for seniors, you may have already come across various models. We'll explain the options and tell you which one we prefer. You can choose between a simple emergency call bracelet, a smartwatch, or a senior-friendly wristwatch with an emergency call function.
1. Simple emergency call bracelet
There are very simple emergency call bracelets equipped with a large, clearly visible emergency button, making them well-suited for seniors. However, they often don't display the time and are therefore not true emergency watches. On the other hand, they are easy to use. Some models even feature fall detection. If you already wear a device on your wrist, you might as well choose a model that also displays the time and has an alarm function. We only mentioned this option for the sake of completeness. Incidentally, with this option, you have a choice between two solutions:
- Emergency call bracelets are often provided by home emergency call service providers. Pressing the button on the bracelet connects you to the service provider's emergency call center. However, this service comes with high monthly fees.
- You can also buy simple emergency call bracelets online or at a pharmacy and use them to call a private emergency contact. This saves you the fees for a home emergency call service.
2. Smartwatch
However, if you're looking for a proper wristwatch with an emergency call function, a smartwatch might be the right choice for you. These are modern watches that not only tell the time but also offer many other functions:
- Fall detection
- Vital signs measurement
- Sleep monitoring
- App notifications
- Receiving and making calls
- Receiving and sending messages
- contactless payment
- GPS tracking
- calendar
- Weather forecast
- Pedometer
- Music control
Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of features? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many smartwatches are crammed with functions, which can be overwhelming for older people. You often don't even want to use a smartphone, and now you're supposed to deal with a smartwatch, which is essentially the same thing, just in a smaller format? We completely understand. That's why we recommend choosing a smartwatch specifically designed for seniors and opting for a one-button phone instead.
3. One Button Phone
Strictly speaking, the One Button Phone is also a smartwatch. After all, it's a small electronic device that displays the time and offers other functions such as emergency calls and fall detection. What makes the One Button Phone special, however, is that it's tailored to the specific needs of seniors and is therefore significantly simplified compared to traditional smartwatches. Essentially, it only has functions that are relevant to the everyday lives of seniors:
- SOS emergency call function
- Fall detection
- Telephony
- GPS tracking
- Vital signs measurement
- Pedometer
- Time and alarm clock
What characterizes a good emergency call wristwatch for seniors?
Now that you know what an emergency call wristwatch for seniors is, we'd like to discuss what a good model should offer. After all, your safety is at stake, so you should choose your senior-friendly wristwatch carefully. Pay particular attention to these points when making your selection:
- SOS emergency call function
- Additional functions
- operation
- Price-performance ratio
1. SOS emergency call function – request help at any time
Perhaps the most important feature of a senior-friendly emergency call wristwatch is the SOS function, which allows you to make an emergency call in a critical situation. Regardless of the model you choose, make sure it has a dedicated emergency button. In a stressful situation, you might lack the composure to find a tiny side button and then fumble with a slider. With the One Button Phone, you'll have no trouble locating the SOS button. It even stands out from the rest of the design in terms of color!
It's also practical if you can choose your own emergency contact and don't necessarily have to call 112. The One Button Phone allows you to specify up to three emergency contacts. For example, you can select family members or trusted individuals and contact them if needed. After all, not every private emergency requires emergency services.
SOS emergency call for medical emergencies
With a senior citizen's wristwatch with an emergency call function, you are prepared for various medical emergencies.
- Falls: Medications, muscle atrophy, impaired balance, or illnesses can lead to serious falls. Seniors are particularly at risk. The consequences can include severe fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or other injuries. An emergency bracelet allows seniors to quickly call for help after a fall.
- Stroke: As blood vessels become increasingly calcified with age, the likelihood of suffering a stroke rises. Typical symptoms include severe headaches, paralysis, and speech and vision problems. It is crucial to act quickly, as a stroke requires immediate medical treatment.
- Heart attack: Cardiovascular diseases are more common among older people. They are also more prone to blood clots and therefore heart attacks. Sharp chest pains, nausea, and shortness of breath are warning signs. Some people even faint. That's why it's so important that a senior-friendly emergency call wristwatch has fall detection, which is naturally the case with the One Button Phone!
- Shortness of breath: If breathing becomes difficult or those affected feel like they can't get any air at all, this must also be medically investigated immediately. The causes range from pneumonia and asthma attacks to life-threatening pulmonary embolisms.
- Injuries: It can happen quickly while cooking. You cut yourself with a knife and it won't stop bleeding. Or perhaps you were bitten by the neighbor's dog. Regardless of the cause of your injury, the senior-friendly wristwatch will help you thanks to its emergency call function!
Note: Some emergency call watches for seniors only work when paired with a smartphone. If you go for a walk and leave your smartphone at home, the device on your wrist will be useless. Therefore, be sure to choose a model that can be equipped with its own SIM card so that it also works well when you're out and about. The One Button Phone, for example, is one such model.
Also suitable for other emergency situations
Even if you're not currently injured or having a stroke, you might need help. Seniors living alone, in particular, sometimes need support. This can be the case in situations like these:
- Locked out: The key is inside, but the door has already locked. It can happen to anyone! That's why it's so handy to wear a senior-friendly wristwatch like the One Button Phone and simply call a relative for help. Ideally, of course, you'd leave a spare key with an emergency contact.
- Burst pipe: Acute problems like a burst pipe can be very stressful for older people. With an easy-to-use wristwatch for seniors, they can ask relatives for help.
- Loneliness: Many older people feel socially isolated and suffer from profound loneliness. For them, it's comforting to know they always have a connection to the outside world and that someone will look after them if needed – even if it's just to have a chat.
- Disorientation: Dementia or medication use can sometimes lead to states of confusion and disorientation. In such cases, it's helpful if the affected person can contact someone. On the One Button Phone, they simply need to press the emergency button.
2. The right additional functions – more than just an emergency button
As we already showed you in our comparison of different emergency watch solutions, many models are equipped with additional functions. Some of these are useful for a senior's everyday life, while others are less important. It's best to choose your senior emergency call wristwatch to suit your individual needs. We believe the following functions are essential:
Fall detection
Without a fall sensor, an emergency watch is only half as useful. After all, the emergency button is only helpful if you can actually press it. Imagine the following scenario:
Your grandchildren were just visiting and had a blast running around the house. They scattered all their toys all over the living room. Now they've left and you've treated yourself to a nap in your favorite armchair.
Then, still half asleep, you get up and don't notice the toy tractor your grandchild forgot. You step on it so awkwardly that your foot slips and you fall to the ground. You try to break your fall, but because you're still so tired, you can't manage it and you hit your head.
Because they are immediately unconscious, they cannot press the emergency button. They will probably regain consciousness after a while, but perhaps not! Furthermore, no one can know how long that will take.
It's reassuring to know that the fall sensors will trigger and automatically send an emergency call. With the One Button Phone, you can even customize the fall detection, adjusting its sensitivity for a higher or lower level. Fall detection is therefore an absolute must for a wristwatch with an emergency call function!
Blood pressure and pulse measurement
Did you know that nowadays it's possible to measure your pulse or blood pressure with small watches? Both values are important parameters that provide insights into your health. This function can be particularly beneficial if you suffer from a pulse that is too high or too low, or if you have problems with your blood pressure. It's also a good indicator for detecting high blood pressure or an elevated pulse. After all, measurements taken by a doctor are always taken at a single point in time. If no abnormalities are found, the doctor will likely not order long-term monitoring. However, if your watch repeatedly shows fluctuations, you should consider this a warning sign and get a thorough check-up.
GPS tracking function
Many smartwatches already come with a built-in GPS module, so tracking your location isn't a problem. However, it becomes truly useful when your location information can be sent to your relatives in case of an emergency. Some watches even allow relatives to access your location remotely using your smartphone. GPS tracking is advantageous in several situations:
- If you tend to get lost and don't know how to get home, you can press the emergency button and be connected to your emergency contact. They can then help you out of your predicament.
- You're out cycling and have an accident. The shock has left you a little disoriented, and you can't say exactly where you are. Luckily, a senior-friendly smartwatch like the One Button Phone transmits your location as soon as you press the emergency button.
- Your relatives are constantly worried about you. They might even be annoyed because your children or grandchildren are always calling you, just to ask how you are or where you are. It might be reassuring for your relatives if you could simply check your smartphone to see where you are.
With the One Button Phone, the GPS module can be controlled via the family app , allowing a family member to activate or deactivate it. They can then see your current location on Google Maps. Of course, you should only share this information with someone you trust.
Pedometer
Are you wondering why a pedometer is such a practical feature? We'd be happy to tell you:
- Walking has a positive effect on the entire cardiovascular system and can even lower blood pressure in the long term.
- They improve your fitness, build muscle and strengthen your blood vessels.
- Walking burns calories and thus reduces the risk of being overweight.
- A walk in nature can reduce stress.
- When you go for a walk outdoors, you also soak up important vitamin D at the same time.
- Exercise can lower blood sugar levels.
- Painful muscle tension can be relieved through movement.
- Walking is easy on the joints and therefore also well suited for older people.
We do move around a lot, but far too little. This can decrease even further with age. After all, you suddenly no longer have to travel to get to work. That's why it's important to set your own fitness goals and get your body moving.
A pedometer is incredibly helpful. It shows you how much of your daily goal you've already achieved and how many steps you still need. This can be really motivating. It's generally believed that 10,000 steps a day is healthy. However, the important thing is that you move at all. So feel free to start small and gradually increase your steps.
3. Easy-to-understand operation – also accessible for seniors
Smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches – none of that appeals to you? We understand. Especially as you get older, it can be difficult to embrace new technology or read complicated instructions. However, there are emergency watches for seniors that are less complex than the conventional models on the market. The best example of this is our One Button Phone!
A single button controls the entire device. With it, you can make calls, measure vital signs, or call emergency services. It couldn't be simpler. Your relatives are welcome to download the family app to set up the device , define emergency contacts, view blood pressure readings, or check their location. However, you don't need the app yourself and therefore don't need to purchase a smartphone.
4. Fair price-performance ratio – more for your money
Although money isn't usually a topic of conversation, we'd like to address it one last time. You don't need an expensive premium smartwatch to make an emergency call. However, cheaper devices typically only offer basic functions.
Your best bet is to choose a solid mid-range model that offers a fair price and the features mentioned above. You can get a new One Button Phone for under €300. If you buy a used model, you'll pay even less. Thanks to its high-quality construction and readily available spare parts, the device is also designed for long-term use. So it's a worthwhile investment!
If you can find an affordable mobile phone plan now, you can permanently increase your security at home for very little money. And you won't have to pay any fees to a home emergency call service! Instead, you can create your own private home emergency call system with a senior-friendly emergency call wristwatch.
