Digital assistants are now firmly anchored in our everyday lives. However, the new technologies enable not only younger, but now also older generations to enjoy a higher standard of living. The latter benefit from AAL (active & assisted living)-focused software and user-friendly smart devices. Active-assisted-living systems like JAMEShelp seniors with everyday tasks, build confidence in new technologies, and even save lives in an emergency. At the same time, they facilitate the care routine of concerned relatives and professional care organizations.
Often emergency watches are also called safety watches or alarm bracelets. In most cases, however, this refers 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 seeking 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 comfort. Most watches have an emergency button and precise GPS tracking. Thus, they also protect in the best way on the road.
The desire to be able to live within their 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 marked by safety, health and companionship 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 accustomed quality of life for older people.
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 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 affected person.
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 drop sensors detect unusual resting phases of the watch wearer and automatically sound the alarm in case of prolonged immobility. With the help of technology, horror scenarios such as waiting for 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 a lifesaver in an emergency, especially in the event of accidents or falls. The drop sensors detect unusual resting phases of the watch wearer and automatically sound the alarm in case of prolonged immobility. With the help of technology, horror scenarios such as waiting for hours for help or finding the victim too late can be prevented.
People with mild dementia long to live in their own homes longer despite their condition, while retaining familiar freedoms. Emergency watches with integrated Geofece software allow affected individuals to maintain their pace of life. The runaway protection secures dementia patients with the help of an invisible protective field that can be individually adjusted. For example, a movement zone of about 300 meters is defined around the residence of the watch wearer. When this zone is exceeded, the watch sends an automatic SOS incl. GPS position to authorized helpers.
Figuring out which emergency watch is right for you or your loved one is often not that easy. Before making a decision, it is important to think about the individual requirements of the watch wearer:
What about his lifestyle? Does he or she live alone? Should the watch be water resistant? 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 watch product overview.
We wish you and your loved ones success in making the right decisions and a great deal of security.
* Statistics Austria study. Link to the study
** Definition of the term “running away tendency”: The 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 “escape” but set out with a purpose.