Safe and Independent: How Safety Watches Empower Seniors
Written by Warren Lu - UPG Physiotherapist
As a physiotherapist working with seniors in their homes, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of technology in supporting seniors to stay safe and independent.
Barbara, an 89-year-old widow living independently, had a minor fall in her living room. Thankfully, she was not injured, but this incident prompted her children to explore safety options. Barbara expressed a strong desire to maintain her independence at home. We explored various options, and the SOS SureSafeGO PLUS watch, a fall-detection device specifically designed for seniors, emerged as a potential solution. During her assessment, we identified that Barbara could get the watch through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) funding grant called GEAT2GO. So, she got the watch!
Just a few months later, the watch proved its worth. Barbara slipped in the bathroom and could not get up, but the watch detected the fall and alerted her four children one by one. Help arrived within minutes, preventing a potentially serious situation. Today, Barbara wears her watch with confidence, knowing it's by her side wherever she goes.
As physiotherapists, we strive to empower seniors to maintain mobility and independence. Safety watches are becoming valuable tools in our toolbox, offering a unique blend of proactive data collection and essential safety features.
Beyond Fall Detection: Data-Driven Physiotherapy
Safety watches are wearable devices with features tailored to assist senior users in their daily lives. They often include fall detection, GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and a one-tap SOS button. For many families, these watches offer a comforting assurance that help is just a wrist tap away.
As physiotherapists, with this device and the data it provides, we can:
Tailor exercise programs: Understanding daily activity levels and movement patterns allows us to create personalised programs that are safe, effective, and relevant to seniors' lifestyles.
Remotely monitor progress: Safety watches enable us to track progress between appointments, identify areas needing adjustments, and intervene if necessary. This promotes consistent progress and faster recovery.
Motivate and engage patients: Real-time feedback on activity levels keeps seniors motivated and encourages them to stay involved with their physiotherapy goals.
Why Safety Watches are a Game-Changer in Physiotherapy?
Fall detection and prevention: Falls are a leading cause of injury among seniors. Safety watches equipped with fall detection sensors can automatically alert family members and emergency services when a fall occurs, ensuring that help arrives promptly, even if the individual cannot call for help themselves. Even if seniors have a small distance fall (from a slip off the chair), sometimes the automatic detection sensors may miss it, so a one-tap button on the side of the watch can promptly send out an SOS.
Health Monitoring on the Go: Chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes may require constant monitoring. Safety watches can track heart rate and blood pressure, detect irregularities, and remind users to take their medication at the correct times. This can ultimately help individuals manage these conditions more effectively and efficiently.
Emergency SOS: In an emergency, time is of the essence. The SOS feature in many safety watches allows seniors to immediately alert emergency services and provide their exact location via satellite GPS, streamlining the response process and potentially saving lives. Some safety watches have an inbuilt SIM card, which allows communication like a phone, where respondents can call SOS responders on the line/ family members when in need of help.
Choosing the Right Safety Watch
When recommending a safety watch to our clients, we prioritise certain features. However, selecting the most appropriate safety watch depends on the individual needs. Here are a few tips:
Features: Look for essential features such as heart rate detection, GPS, fall detection, and an easy-to-use SOS button.
Water Resistance Model: Especially if it is to be worn during showers and throughout the day and night.
Battery Life: Opt for safety watches with long battery life to minimize the need for frequent charging.
Comfort: Since it's worn throughout the day, ensure the watch is comfortable, easy to wear and take off, and not too bulky.
Now, from a physiotherapist's perspective, here are a couple of options:
SOS SureSafeGo Plus 4GX Medical Alert with Fall Detection - $479
This watch is an excellent choice for seniors at risk of falls. Its fall detection technology ensures immediate assistance is summoned in case of an accident. I particularly appreciate its ergonomic design, which promotes comfort during extended wear, which is crucial for adherence to wearing the device.
MedAlert Personal Medical Alarm Watch 4G with GPS - $499
With its GPS functionality, this watch is invaluable for keeping track of the wearer's location, allowing caregivers to respond promptly to emergencies. Its heart rate monitoring feature also provides valuable data for managing cardiovascular health, enabling early intervention if necessary.
A Step Towards Independent Living
Safety watches empower seniors to maintain their independence while providing their loved ones peace of mind. They bridge the gap between technology and practical assistance, proving essential in elderly care.
If you're considering a safety watch for your loved one, now is the perfect time to explore your options. These devices can provide invaluable peace of mind and safety, especially in terms of fall prevention and maintaining good quality health. If you need physio guidance please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 1300 884 171.