Smart technology gives older people additional security while preserving their independence.
When John's friend Irene * fell at home, it took him an hour to crawl to the phone and call for help. And once he recovered, the big question was: What do we do now?
Like many older people, Irene wanted to continue living independently, in the home she loved. But John was worried. What if it fell again? What if, this time, he couldn't get through on the phone?
His initial idea was to get her a fall detection collar, as seen in television commercials from the late 90s and early years. But Irene is a proud woman and she hated the idea of wearing a visible object that would immediately identify her as "old", even if it could save her life.
Modern technology solutions for today's seniors
Fortunately, we are no longer in the 90s; there are options beyond "Help, I fell and can't get up!" John did some research and found that the Apple Watch has built-in fall detection. And while an iPhone is required, which Irene didn't have, to make it work, she felt the investment was worth the safety of her loved one. He even realized, when he was preparing both for Irene, that he liked them enough to buy two for himself.
For Irene, the difference between a fall detection collar and a fall detection Apple Watch was huge. Instead of feeling like an old woman whose body was betraying her with age, she felt like the cool lady who understood the latest technology. Plus, there was the added benefit that the Apple Watch has other features that Irene could use, without too much onboarding.
While Apple is great for features, security, and privacy, it's certainly not the cheapest - it depends on the model, too. But Apple Watch isn't the only device that looks great, and it also offers life-saving options for seniors. For people who want a less expensive option, or who don't want to deal with all the conveniences of Apple products, there are other great products on the market.
One is, believe it or not, that much-maligned medical alert device. They now have a fall detection device that looks a lot like an Apple Watch. However, it requires a subscription, which for a combination of traditional medical alert services, as well as other health-related services, such as health reminders and prescriptions and monitoring of blood pressure, glucose, and weight. It also comes with a speakerphone that allows people to make hands-free calls and enjoy a variety of entertainment options while at home.
Philips also offers a medical alert device called the Philips Lifeline HomeSafe device. Users have the option of one that connects to their landline or cell phone, with slightly different technology and a slightly different cost. The mobile phone definitely looks sleeker, more on the Philips Sonos side than the traditional medical alert. They also provide wearers with the option of a pendant necklace or watch, which basically looks like a slightly updated version of the old-school medical alert.
The balance between respecting the wishes of our elderly loved ones and making sure they are safe is a precarious one, and it is something that an increasing number of people have to find as the Baby Boomer generation ages. But with the help of certain technologies, older people can continue to live independently without feeling old.