Wearable technology has come a long way from the digital watches of the past. Modern smartwatches have advanced features that help keep us safe and healthy. These devices can help us in the short term, like alerting emergency services in an emergency, and in the long term, like helping us set and achieve our health goals.
Wearable technology is allowing medical alert companies to offer more effective safety monitoring for seniors. Smartwatches, in particular, are being used to monitor medical conditions and help seniors receive help more quickly. While this technology cannot replace the advice of a medical professional, it can be a helpful addition to a comprehensive safety plan.
1. Send alerts for help
Older people and their caregivers often worry about falls happening when no one is around. To help, new smartwatches and alert systems have drop sensors that can detect falls and sound an alarm to the user.
If the user does not turn off the alarm, the device will call emergency services and notify the user’s emergency contacts. To make sure the device offers the safety features you need, look at our list of the best medical alert systems which compare companies with these features.
2. Combine health data collection with medical alert technology
Some medical alert companies have combined the features of a smartwatch with a medical alert system to create a helpful device for seniors who live alone. The device has features such as fall detection and the ability to connect to a phone.
Medical Guardian has created a new medical alert device that combines smartwatch technology with medical alert features. The device has a one-touch alert button, voice-to-text communications, and step counting, enabling users to live independently while monitoring their health.
3. Monitor pulse rates
A healthy resting heart rate for adults is usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Smartwatches can detect if a person’s heart rate is outside of this range and alert them to any potential medical issues.
In several reported cases, smartwatch wearers were alerted to potentially serious problems when their device gave a pulse alert, even though they had not felt any symptoms of a low or high heart rate. This prompt to seek medical attention allowed them to diagnose and treat the underlying issue, which could have been fatal.
4. Get help quickly, without using a phone
In an emergency situation, a smartwatch can be a helpful tool. With the press of a single button, it can be used to quickly call for help without needing the phone nearby.
Some smartwatches offer the ability to make phone calls without needing to be connected to a phone by Bluetooth. They may also provide quick access to medical information for first responders, allowing them to make important decisions without needing to access a phone or medical records.
5. Track the electrical activity of your heart
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It is often used to diagnose heart rate and rhythm problems, as well as to detect heart attacks and other cardiac conditions. Wearable devices with built-in ECG technology can collect this data and make it available for medical professionals to review.
Smartwatches, such as certain Apple Watches, are able to record an ECG (electrocardiogram). This is a type of test that can provide useful information to doctors as they make important decisions about a patient’s treatment. The ECG recorded by the smartwatch is a simplified version compared to what is done in hospitals and doctors’ offices, but still provides helpful data.
6. Remind you to stay active
Staying active is essential for a long and healthy life. Smartwatches can help remind you to stay on track with your exercise goals by reminding you to stand up and keep moving.
Smartwatches now have the ability to measure more than just the number of steps taken. They can assess your balance, strength, and gait, and give you a notification if your walking steadiness is not up to par and puts you at a higher risk of falling.
Smart watches can use GPS data, heart rate, and other metrics to keep track of calorie expenditure, helping you keep track of your fitness goals. Medical alert companies such as Medical Guardian are also developing ways to collect and share activity data, so patients can work to improve their health more effectively.
7. Improve your sleep
Smart watches can use GPS data, heart rate, and other metrics to track calorie expenditure and help people stay on top of their fitness goals. Medical alert companies are also finding ways to use this data to help their patients monitor their activity trends and improve their health.
Changes in these factors can be a warning sign of sleep apnea or other sleep-related health problems. By recognizing these changes, you and your doctor can work together to make positive changes that will help you get better sleep and improve your overall health.
8. Monitor blood oxygen levels
Blood oxygen level is a measure of how much oxygen is being carried by your red blood cells from your lungs to the rest of your body. A normal reading for a healthy adult is between 95-100%. Lower readings can indicate an underlying heart, lung, or circulatory issue.
Some smartwatches, including Fitbit, Garmin, Mobvoi, Samsung, and Apple, can measure blood oxygen levels at the wrist.
9. Get a handle on stress
Humans are designed to handle short-term stress, which helps us stay safe, have more energy, and do well in tough situations. Too much stress over a long period of time, however, can be damaging to our hearts, stomachs, and minds.
Many smartwatch brands offer useful ways to help users manage their stress levels. These include simple reminders to take deep breaths and more advanced features that use various measurements to calculate a stress management score. When users are alerted to a lower score, they can take steps to reduce their stress and avoid potential negative health consequences.
10. Connect your watch to health metrics that matter to you
Smartwatches can be tailored to the health needs of diabetics and prediabetics. These watches can connect to blood sugar monitoring systems and provide glucose alerts, even if the phone is not nearby. This can be lifesaving information.
For those who need to monitor their blood pressure regularly, there are special smartwatches available that can take readings directly from the wrist. These watches can also be connected to more traditional blood pressure systems. Additionally, smartwatches can measure skin temperature throughout the day to alert users to potential health risks such as infection or stress.
Conclusion:
Smartwatches are becoming increasingly popular and useful tools for health and safety. They can provide a range of features, such as monitoring your health, sending emergency alerts, and tracking your location. They are great for keeping an eye on your own health and safety, as well as alerting you to potential dangers. They can be a great addition to any safety plan, and can even save lives in an emergency.