Wearables are items that are worn or carried, as an accessory. The term is not new. In fact, it dates back to the 13th century when the first wearable was invented – the eyeglasses.
Thanks to technology, today’s wearables are more than just a pair of reading glasses. They are more multi-functional, cool and chic devices that provide assistance in some aspects of daily living.
First used by millennials to track their health and fitness goals, it spilled over to baby boomers who find them useful in offsetting some of the effects of aging.
Wearables can keep track of an elderly’s health and fitness issues and serve as life-lines to doctors, emergency personnel, and family members. They help get some of the user’s basic needs done and get help when necessary.
There are now countless wearables for seniors in the market but the following are observed to be the best.
Best Wearables for Seniors:
Today’s seniors differ much from their counterparts a decade ago. Today, seniors live longer and prefer to live alone. While this may sound romantic, it raises the twin risks of safety and security. And this is where wearables can be an invaluable possession.
1. Fitbit Charge 2 Health Rate and Fitness Wristband:
This wearable is perfect for on-the-go seniors who are concerned with their health and fitness.
Fitbit Charge 2 monitors a user’s fitness level, motivating him to do better. It has a built-in heart monitor which shows heart rates during various activities, even while sitting at home.
It also has guided breathing sessions that suggests breathing exercises based on heart rate.
2. Alert-1’s Mobile + Home Fall Detection System:
Injuries from the falls are the leading cause of deaths among people 65 years old and above.
This wearable can improve your chances of getting help in case of a fall.
Alert-1’s has the latest MPERS (mobile personal response system) that works as a two-in-one mobile and home fall detection system, which means that you can get help in case you experience a fall wherever you are – at home or mobile.
And since it is GPS-enabled, help can get to you no matter where you are.
To make it more user-friendly, Alert-1 allows two-way voice calling in case you fail to press the emergency alarm button.
3. Great Calls Lively Wearable Senior Activity Tracker:
This app-based stylish band also works as a fall detector and an MPERS to make sure help will be on the way in case you fall while on the move.
To make it lively, it counts steps through bells or whistles, gives health tips and fun health challenges to keep the user motivated.
It has a button for non-emergency situations like locking a car, and one for emergencies like feeling faint or medication reminders.
4. BeClose Senior Safety System:
This wearable is designed to help live-alone seniors be safe and secure at home.
The BeClose combines an alert button connected to a base station through discreet wireless household sensors.
BeClose captures data of your daily routine and stores them in the base station. If it detects deviations from your daily routine it activates an alarm so emergency personnel can attend to you.
5. Kanega Watch:
Kanega Watch was designed to improve its user’s independence and, at the same time, stylish and chic.
The Kanega Watch has a speech-based interface instead of a smartphone app. It detects falls and long periods of immobility; it gives reminders for medication and has a voice-activated interface that helps users find their way home.
The market for wearables is growing. Currently, one in six consumers uses the device for health and fitness reasons. But most of them are millennials.
Seniors are lagging behind in using wearables. But they are catching up. They are beginning to realize the need for wearables to offset some of the negative effects of aging.
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