Digital assistants are now firmly anchored in our everyday lives. However, the new technologies not only enable younger generations to enjoy a higher standard of living, but now older generations as well. The latter benefit from AAL (active & assisted living)-focused software and user-friendly smart devices. Active assisted living systems such as JAMES support seniors with everyday tasks, build trust in new technologies and even save lives in an emergency. At the same time, they simplify the care routines of concerned relatives and professional care organizations.
Emergency watches are often also referred to as safety watches or alarm bracelets. In most cases, however, they refer to similarly designed mobile devices with the same goal: to reliably protect their wearers in everyday life and to summon help when needed.
Although many seniors already own a cell phone or smartphone, it is not always at hand and is often forgotten at home when going out. Accordingly, a person in need of help is often unable to make the rescue emergency call.
SOS watches offer the solution. The new models are worn on the wrist and look like modern smartwatches. In addition, they offer their wearers pleasant wearing comfort. Most watches have an emergency call button and precise GPS positioning. So they also provide the best protection when out and about.
The desire to be able to live in one's own four walls for as long as possible is shared by many people. Older people in particular feel a strong bond with their own home. In earlier times, several generations lived together. In addition to father, mother and children, grandparents also lived under the same roof. However, demographic change and the ongoing trend toward small apartments and single households have caused the former family structures to collapse. Currently, one in three people in the 65+ age group lives alone.* This increases both the need for relatives to be attentive to their loved ones and the demand for caregivers.
Everyone wants a life characterized by security, health and community for their elderly family members. However, freedom and self-determination must not be disregarded when fulfilling these core elements, especially since this is an essential part of maintaining the quality of life older people are accustomed to.
SMARTWATCHES, which apart from their chic looks have life-saving functions such as an emergency call button, fall sensors, GPS, health apps, etc., are being capitalized on in this context.
Most emergency watches have at least one emergency button. This is often discreetly placed on newer designs and is easy to trigger: simply press the red button for about three seconds to send an SOS (JAMES emergency call watch S6). In addition to the alarm function, many models integrate GPS tracking systems, which locate the position of the watch wearer in an emergency and send it via APP / SMS / WEBPORTAL to their relatives, emergency call center or care organization. Authorized helpers are thus able to quickly locate and rescue the person concerned.
In addition to active calls for help, some models also enable inactivity sensors, which prove to be a lifesaver especially in the event of accidents or falls. The fall sensors detect unusual rest phases of the watch wearer and automatically sound the alarm in case of prolonged immobility. With the help of this technology, horror scenarios such as waiting hours for help or finding the victim too late can be prevented. In addition to active calls for help, some models also enable passive, i.e. automatic, alarm signals.
Inactivity sensors prove to be lifesavers in an emergency, especially in the event of accidents or falls. The fall sensors detect unusual rest phases of the watch wearer and automatically sound the alarm in the event of prolonged immobility. With the help of this technology, horror scenarios such as waiting hours for help or finding the victim too late can be prevented.
People with mild dementia long to live in their own homes for longer despite their condition, while retaining familiar freedoms. Emergency watches with integrated geofece software allow affected individuals to maintain their pace of life. The walk-away protection secures dementia patients with the help of an invisible protective field that can be individually adjusted. For example, a movement zone of around 300 meters is defined around the wearer's home. If this zone is crossed, the watch sends an automatic SOS including GPS position to authorized helpers.
Figuring out which emergency watch is right for you or your loved one is often not so easy. Before making a decision, it is important to think about the individual requirements of the watch wearer:
What about his lifestyle? Does he live alone? Should the watch be waterproof? Does he like to go for walks, is he at risk of falling, or are dementia-related walking tendencies** already noticeable?
Once you are clear about the needs of the future wearer, the easier you can decide on a model.
Click on the link below for more information about JAMES or to go to the JAMES emergency clock product overview.
We wish you and your loved ones success in making the right decisions and a great deal of security.
* Study by Statistics Austria. Link to the study
** Definition of the term "running away tendency": Running away tendency used to be called running away tendency - because affected persons follow an inner urge and run away. However, it is now known that patients do not simply "want to run away", but set off with a goal.