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The Benefits of a Smartwatch for Seniors

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A smartwatch may seem like the perfect gadget for young people or those who are juggling a busy career and personal life. While it might seem overly complicated for anyone who grew up well before the digital age, it can be an extremely convenient tool for navigating the challenges of aging.

In general, technology can feel overwhelming for seniors; it is understandable why many seniors avoid getting a smartphone or even a cell phone altogether. However, it makes sense to reconsider the role technology can play in enabling healthy and independent golden years. To illustrate this point, here are some of the benefits of a smartwatch for seniors.

Smartwatches can help you in an emergency

If you choose a smartwatch with cellular capabilities, which can be found in both Apple smartwatches and Android smartwatches, you can use the convenient built-in phone on your wrist to call an emergency line or close relative.

Many smartwatches offer this feature by connecting with a separate cellular device, but some watches can operate completely independently of a smartphone. In order to use these standalone smartwatches, you will need to get service plan for your watch with a cellular data provider.

Furthermore, if you are hard of hearing, you do not need to worry about being unable to hear smartwatch conversations.  This is because you can connect a Bluetooth smartwatch to hearing aids and amplifiers that use the same wireless technology. Plus, smartwatches that include GPS can also be very useful for pinpointing your location in the event of an emergency.

Smartwatches can track health indicators and motivate you to stay active

Many smartwatches offer helpful feedback on your health and exercise levels. This might include features like step tracking and heart rate monitoring. Specialized fitness smartwatches boast apps that help motivate you to stay active by creating workout challenges and schedules. Some models can also track your physical stress level so that you know whether you might be pushing too hard or not challenging yourself as much as you could.

Health and exercise smartwatches and fitness trackers can even evaluate your heart rate to alert you of events like atrial fibrillation and overly high or low heart rates. Additionally, some will track nightly trends in oxygen level and provide feedback on your sleep health. While you cannot replace the knowledge and expertise of a doctor, smartwatches can help inform you daily about your body and health.

Smartwatches can send you useful reminders

One of the reasons why busy people love smartwatches is their ability to send notifications. Many smartwatch wearers use this feature for phone call alerts and email notifications. However, smartwatches are also a great way to set medication reminders and alerts for other daily activities or events. Unlike a smartphone, smartwatches are not easily misplaced. As a result, there is little chance of forgetting important tasks and appointments when you get reminders right on your wrist!

Smartwatches offer senior-friendly designs

Naturally, you want to be sure that whatever smartwatch you choose has an intuitive platform and user-friendly features. Therefore, it is useful to read reviews about ease of operation and ask for personal recommendations from anyone you know who owns a smartwatch.

Additionally, there are specially designed smartwatches for seniors. These models are offered by brands that also make senior-friendly cell phones and smartphones. Features on these devices might include fall detection and an extended battery life, both of which provide users with more peace of mind.

Since it can feel intimidating to learn how to use new technological devices, remember that it might take a little patience and practice to adjust your device settings to your preferences, but the effort is well worth it. You can also ask family members or friends to help you understand your new gadget. Make sure they work for you because you want to eventually feel capable using it on your own. Once you become familiar with it, this wearable technology is a fantastic tool for helping you maintain your independence as you age.

Additional information:

These statements and any information contained herein are intended for educational purposes only and are not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. Carefully review product labels for instructions and important safety information and consider consulting with a health care professional regarding your use of health and wellness products.