Stairs / Hallway
Smart Watch
I want information about...
- falls prevention
- fitness tracking
- message alerts
- getting help in an emergency
What can it be used for?
A smart watch is like a mini computer you wear on your wrist. It tells you the time like a standard watch but also connects to your mobile phone or has a SIM card of it's own and can do lots of helpful things, such as:
- Show notifications: You can see texts, emails, and app alerts without picking up your phone.
- Track your health: It can count your steps, monitor your heart rate, track sleep, and even remind you to move.
- Help with fitness: Many smart watches can track workouts, measure calories burned, and even guide you through exercises.
- Use apps: You can use apps for weather, maps, music, and more - just like on your phone.
- Make calls or send messages: Some smartwatches let you talk or text directly from your wrist.
Some smart watches have GPS location detection built in.
You can buy smart watches at most shops that sell computers, smart phones or electrical devices or search for 'smart watch' or 'smart watch with GPS' on the internet.
Benefits
- Fitness: Can be used to record step count, encourage movement, set goals and track physical activity.
- Health and Wellbeing monitoring: They can often track sleep patterns, heart rate as well as activity levels to support a healthy lifestyle. Some smart watches can be used for medication or other reminders such as drinking regularly.
- Increased independence: GPS versions have location functions so family or friends can find the person who will be using if they don’t return at the expected time or they get lost. This can enable the person who will use it to continue to go out on their own with the added reassurance to family or friends. It could help someone gain confidence going out on their own.
- Increased safety: Some GPS versions have an SOS button and can be linked to a call centre for additional peace of mind. GPS doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi or mobile phone coverage which makes it more reliable in rural areas. There might be the option to add a geofence which sets a virtual boundary, such as a usual route or an area the person is usually safe in and an alert will be sent (to family/ friends/ call centre) if the person who will use it goes outside of this area.
Things to Consider
- Suitability: Consider what features are required. Is GPS required? Think about the design, weight, size and comfort of the smart watch. Read reviews and check it does what it needs to do and the risk of false alarms are low.
- Battery Life: Regular charging is required. Think about how this can be built into routine and whether the person who will use it can do this or whether help might be needed? Who can provide this support if needed?
- Cost and value for money: Smart watches can be expensive, think about what features are needed and consider if additional cost is worth it. GPS smart watches can be more expensive than non-GPS models. Think about the initial cost of the product and any ongoing subscription and monitoring service costs that might be needed for example if it is connected to a monitoring centre. What is customer service like and does it come with a warranty?
- Location considerations: see location devices for possible considerations if location is included on a smart watch that is going to be used.