Wearable for elderly in case of emergency?

[Don Red]

My 74-year-old dad recently had a dizzy spell and didn’t have his phone on him, which made me realize it might be time to get him a smartwatch for some added peace of mind. He’s surprisingly open to the idea — especially if it can help him keep tabs on his health. He doesn’t need constant monitoring, just something simple that tracks steps and heart rate, and maybe offers an easy way to call for help if needed. He’s not very tech-savvy, so I’m looking for a watch that’s intuitive and senior-friendly, ideally with clear alerts and possibly caregiver access. Has anyone found a good option that fits this kind of use case?

[Harley90]

I use the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and find it pretty user-friendly. Once it’s set up—which is the most involved part—it’s mostly just turning the dial to find a function or swiping up to access the menu. For calls, it’s simple: swipe up, tap the phone icon, then either dial the number or select a contact. I’ve customized my watch face to show battery, date, time, steps, and heart rate, which keeps things clean and useful.

Some smartwatches support cellular data, which can be a big help if your dad might need to make calls or send messages without being near his phone or Wi-Fi—just something to weigh against the extra monthly cost. Battery life really varies, especially if GPS is on, so if there’s a chance he might wander or get disoriented, making sure the watch is fully charged daily is crucial. Thankfully, newer magnetic chargers make that easier than older plug-in styles. Ultimately, going with a model that’s compatible with his current phone is probably the best move—flagship brands usually offer better accessibility features and support.

[Don Red]

Thanks for the insight! Glad to hear the Watch 6 Classic is easy to use after setup. The dial and swipe controls sound straightforward i guess, so maybe ill check them out

[Ninastein]

I’d skip the smartwatch route, as they can be too complex for many seniors and require daily charging, which is easy to forget. A better option might be a dedicated medical alert system with fall detection. These are designed specifically for safety and ease of use, and many come with long-lasting batteries—some lasting up to ten years. For example, Bay Alarm Medical offers an SOS Smartwatch that combines simple functionality with emergency features.

[JackCase9]

I'm 74 and use an Apple Watch, which comes with features like fall detection, irregular heart rhythm alerts, pulse monitoring, and more. Once it’s set up, it’s pretty straightforward—just charge it each night and wear it during the day. I’ve had a few false alarms during physical activities like chopping wood, but the watch gives you a countdown so you can cancel the alert before it contacts emergency services. It did trigger once when I took a fall while skiing, but I was able to cancel that too without any issue.