Top 10 Smart Watches for Seniors in 2023
Seniors typically require closer attention to monitor their well-being. Due to their age, they are very often exposed to quite delicate physical conditions. Therefore, smartwatches are often recommended to ensure adequate and accurate monitoring of their physiological information.
A smartwatch is a computerized wristwatch with functionalities beyond the simple display of time and timing, with features comparable to a personal assistant's. Therefore, it's important to choose the one that best suits their needs.
In this article, we will present the factors to consider when buying a smartwatch and a list of the best smartwatches for seniors.
- Part 1: What Factors Should a Qualified Smartwatch for Seniors Have
- Part 2: 10 Best Smartwatches for Seniors
- Part 3: Necessity of Smart Watches for Senior Citizens
- Part 4: Stay Connected and Care For Aging Family Members
- Part 5: Alternative Option to GPS Trackers for the Elderly
- Part 6: FAQs about Smart Watch for Seniors
Part 1. What Factors Should a Qualified Smartwatch for Seniors Have
Smartwatches for seniors are very useful and convenient, allowing someone to track their health status without being near them. They are quite safe because some have alerts triggered in case of detection of serious anomalies.
However, there are factors to consider when buying a smartwatch for seniors. Here are some of them:
- Health Tracking: The number 1 use of a smartwatch. Health tracking is the first feature you should check when purchasing a smartwatch for seniors. With this feature, the watch can track heart rate, blood pressure, step counter, and sleep patterns. These are used to help seniors to stay healthy.
- Emergency Contact or Help Button: a good smartwatch for seniors should have a built-in SOS or alert button. It allows seniors to get in touch easily with assistance services, 911, or family members or friends in case of fall detection or any prior emergency.
- GPS Capabilities: a smartwatch for seniors should be able to display the real-time location of the owner. Thus, at the time of the call of emergency, the alerted services will know where to go as soon as possible.
- Voice Commands: a voice assistant feature is also very useful to seniors. They won't have to type anything; they will just speak to the device to trigger any feature, which is very time-saving and efficient for seniors.
- Ease of Use: many seniors are not familiar with new technologies. So the wristwatch should be intuitive, user-friendly, and have a clear interface.
- Price: all of these features can be very pricey. But there are some smartwatches with a good quality-price ratio. It depends on the budget you have.
Part 2: 10 Best Smartwatches for Seniors
1Apple Watch Series 6
Price from: $199
In innovative technology, Apple is probably one of the best. The Apple Watch Series 6 is the latest release of Apple's popular smartwatch line. One of the most notable new features is the blood oxygen sensor, which allows users to monitor their blood oxygen status in a few seconds. The Series 6 also features an always-on Retina display that allows easy vision. It is very light and fashionable, with customizable watch faces and bands.
It has a range of health and fitness features, including an ECG app, an emergency alert in case of irregular heart rate, and 20 000 additional applications you can download for more.
Apple's S6 chip powers the Series 6 and runs on the latest watchOS version, making it faster and more efficient. Many people using an Apple Watch testify that it saved their lives more than once.
Pros
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- Fall detection
- Always-on retina
- Siri voice assistant
- GPS tracker watch and SOS Button
- Wide range of health and advanced fitness features
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited compatibility (only with iPhones)
- Complex interface
2Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Price: $179.99
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a very popular choice for users who want a versatile and powerful wearable tracking device.
This smartwatch offers advanced fitness and health tracking features, including GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a range of workout modes. It also includes ECG and blood pressure monitoring, which can provide health data and alerts in case of irregularity.
Pros
- GPS tracking
- Fitness and health tracking
- ECG and blood pressure monitoring
- Fall detection
- LTE connectivity
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited OS support
3Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch
Price: $127.20
Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatchis specially designed for seniors and individuals with medical conditions or disabilities. It offers several features that ensure safety and security. The SOS button on the left side of the screen supports 24/7 help. Its pre-installed 4G LTE sim card provides the best location tracking, call quality, and response time.
Pros
- SOS emergency button
- GPS Tracking
- Fall detection
- Medication reminder
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Subscription required
- Limited smartwatch features
4WellBe Medical Alert Smartwatch
Price: $119.95
Monthly subscription: $29.95
Designed with WellBe medical alert system, WellBe Smartwatch is a health-focused smartwatch that offers a range of features designed to help users monitor and manage their physical and mental well-being. Also, it uses TMobile 4G LTE and has a SIM card installed, supporting two-way talk to the response center when users make emergency calls.
Pros
- ECG and heart rate monitoring
- Stress and emotion tracking
- Sleep tracking
- Water-resistant
- Long battery life
Cons
- Complex presets
- Unable to call a contact from the watch
- No cellular connectivity
5Unaliwear Kanega Watch
One Time Set-Up: $299
Ongoing Service: $69.95/mo
Unaliwear Kanega Watch offers a range of medical alert features, including fall detection, medication reminders, and the ability to call for emergency assistance. It also includes voice commands, which is very interesting for seniors.
Pros
- GPS Tracking
- Voice-activated
- Fall detection
- Long battery life
- Medical alert features
Cons
- Limited app support
- Limited functionalities
- Expensive
6Medical Guardian MGMove
Price: $199.99
Monthly subscription: $39.95
Medical Guardian MGMove is also a medical smartwatch for seniors. It offers a range of medical alert features, including emergency monitoring, medication reminders, messaging features, medical alerts with GPS, two-way talks, emergency calls, etc.
Pros
- Medical alerts features
- Long battery life
- Water-resistant
- 24/7 monitoring services
Cons
- No fall detection
- Limited functionalities
- Extra costs
7Lively Wearable2
Price: $29.95
Lively Wearable2 allows seniors to access health and safety services with ease. It has a button that seniors can press for Urgent Response that is connected to the Lively app. And family members will also receive alerts on their phones when emergency. This smartwatch features fall detection, and a step tracker, and is waterproof.
Pros
- Get help 24/7
- Fall detection
- Water-resistant
- Urgent response
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Need paid package for using
- Limited features
8LifeFone Smartwatch Active
Plan starting as: $45.95/mo
The LifeFone Smartwatch Active is a medical alert device designed for seniors. Equipped with an emergency call button, it assists during emergencies without needing to connect to a phone app. All you need to do is to charge it. It has Cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS tracking for elderly users, allowing family members to easily locate their loved ones through text-to-locate functionality.
Pros
- Free activation
- Fall detection
- 30-day money back
- Locate with Cellular, Wi-Fi & GPS
- No smartphone needed
Cons
- Need extra fee
- Payment plans are expensive
- Need daily recharging
9Amazfit Bip 3 Pro
Price: $69.99
Amazfit Bip 3 Pro can be a budget-friendly fitness smartwatch for seniors, offering various features and functions, including fitness and health tracking. Though this smartwatch is less expensive than other brands, it supports receiving calls, messages, and alerts.
It can check body conditions, including oxygen saturation levels, 24-hour heart rate, sleep quality, etc. It has a 5 ATM water resistance rating, so even if an older person accidentally drops the watch in water, there is no need to worry.
Pros
- Built-in GPS
- Health and fitness tracking
- Water-resistant
- Affordable price
Cons
- Limited app support
- Basic notifications
10Google Pixel Watch
Price from: $299.99
As the name suggests, Google Pixel Watch is a Google creation that brings together all the Google and Fitbit performance. Before getting into the health aspect, it offers six months of Fitbit Premium subscription included, as well as a YouTube Music Premium subscription.
Pros
- Built-in GPS
- Emergency SOS
- Water-resistant
- LTE Connectivity
- Fall detection
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited compatibility (Android 8.0 or newer only)
Part 3. Necessity of Smart Watches for Senior Citizens
Smartwatches are certainly a valuable tool for seniors. They can help improve their quality of life with all the benefits they can provide. Technology is improving considerably nowadays, so this can be a real support to adults with physical conditions.
One of the most significant benefits of smartwatches for seniors is the ability to monitor health and safety. They have sensors that detect falls or irregular heartbeats and alert emergency services in dangerous cases. Additionally, some smartwatches offer medication reminders, as we saw earlier. Seniors and their families may feel more secure as a result.
Some patients with Parkinson's disease can use smartwatches to manage care at home. The smartwatch collects and relays the information to doctors who can look after their patients remotely and improve medicines or quality of life if needed. Caring for older adults can be challenging and time-consuming. That is why smartwatches help reduce the need for in-person visits or constant monitoring.
Part 4. Stay Connected and Care For Aging Family Members
We can understand that some older people do not accept or even refuse to use smartwatches, believing they do not need to rely on a smart device or that their children are alienated from them once they have used the product in question. If your parents feel the same way, you should encourage them and explain the benefits of using such a device and, if necessary, accompany them to pick a suitable smartwatch.
Also, even if a smartwatch helps with in-person visits, staying in touch and showing love and care to aged family members is crucial. Smartwatches allow easy communication via messaging or phone calls, video chats, and social media integration. This can help seniors stay in touch with family and friends without feeling socially isolated and alone. If you have an older adult at home who doesn't know how to speak to or message you with their smartwatch, you should teach them how to operate the watch so that they are adept at it.
As mentioned above, as well as picking a suitable smartwatch for the older members of your family, it's also essential to show them how to use it. Not only the communication functions but any emergency functions or medication reminders should be taught to them. It would be best if you didn't get bored by their frequent forgetting of simple steps; give them more understanding and patience.
Choosing the right smartwatch for older people is important, and it is a much more valuable tool when you choose a smartwatch that suits their lifestyle and needs. Ensuring that the smartwatch is easy to use and comfortable for older people.
Part 5. Alternative Option to GPS Trackers for the Elderly
Smartwatches with GPS trackers can be useful in keeping track of seniors' whereabouts, but they have some limitations. The GPS signal may not always be accurate, especially in areas with poor connectivity, or the watch's battery life may not be sufficient.
An alternative option for families with seniors is parental control software with GPS tracking capabilities. This tool can be installed on the senior's phone, allowing continuous location tracking.
One such parental control software with GPS tracking capabilities is AirDroid Family Locator. This software offers real-time tracking of a senior's location and can notify family members if they enter or leave a designated safe zone. The software also includes a history feature, allowing family members to see where the senior has been over some time.
In addition to location tracking, AirDroid Family Locator includes features such as geofencing, which allows for setting up safe zones, and device management, allowing family members to remotely control the senior's device if needed. The software also offers a low-battery alert feature, enabling seniors' phones to quickly send an alert to you to remind them to charge.
To benefit from those features, here are the steps of installation:
Step 1: Download and Install AirDroid Family Locator on your device.
Step 2: Launch AirDroid Parental Control on your device. You will be directed to the sign-up page. Create your account and log in.
Step 3: Download and install AirDroid Kids on your senior family member's phone.
Step 4: After installation, open AirDroid Kids and set up settings and allow permissions on the phone.
Step 5: Now, you can check and locate your senior family member's location by clicking the "Locate" button.
Conclusion
Smartwatches are a good option for seniors and families who want security, medical assistance, and monitoring. Several companies on the market propose smartwatches for seniors with good features. Through smartwatches, you can have a close view of information that could be given by doctors only. It is a great solution for remote assistance.
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