As we age, we may find ourselves in need of additional support to maintain our health and well-being. Thankfully, Apple iPhone and Watch technology provide several helpful tools and resources to monitor yourself or a loved one. In this article, we will discuss some of the best Apple features for health and safety monitoring. These tips include using your devices to track fall detection, walking steadiness, and much more.
The iPhone is a valuable tool for seniors, as it can help them stay connected with family and friends, stay organized, and access important information when needed. The iPhone also has a number of built-in accessibility features that can be helpful for seniors. For example, the VoiceOver feature can read text aloud, and the enlarged text option can make text easier to read. There are also a number of apps that have been designed specifically for seniors, such as Mango Health, which helps manage medication schedules, and ElderCheck Now which serves as a tool for loved ones and caregivers to do wellness checks. The caregiver can send check-in requests, and the senior can respond by tapping, “I’m OK” on their Apple Watch or iPhone and send their location and heart rate information.
By taking advantage of the many features Apple devices offer, seniors can monitor their health and well-being while giving them peace of mind in the event of an emergency.
Apple Medical ID
Apple's Medical ID is feature that can be used to store important health information. This can include your name, allergies, emergency contacts, and any health conditions you may have. This information can be accessed quickly and easily in the event of an emergency, which can help first responders provide better care.
Be sure to include emergency contacts who can be notified in the event of an emergency as well. You can also choose to make your Medical ID visible from your lock screen, which can be helpful if you are unconscious or unable to speak in an emergency situation.
Apple Walking Steadiness Technology
Apple's Walking Steadiness technology is designed to help you stay balanced and share how likely you are to suffer a fall. It uses a custom algorithm to analyze balance, stability, and coordination through the iPhone's built-in motion sensors. The technology isn’t designed to predict your risk of falling at any particular time, but it does offer you a better perspective of your fall danger over the next 12 months. This can be helpful for seniors who are at risk of falls, as it can help them to avoid dangerous situations.
Apple Emergency SOS
Apple's Emergency SOS feature is a great way for seniors to request help in case of an emergency. When activated, SOS will immediately call emergency services. When the call ends it will also send a text message to your emergency contacts with your current location and send updates when your location changes. Emergency SOS can be a life-saving feature for seniors, so it's important to know how to use it. Be sure to activate the emergency SOS feature and add your emergency contacts. With just a few taps, you can call for help in case of an emergency.
Apple Watch Fall Detection + Heart Monitoring
Fall detection is a key feature of the latest Apple Watch, starting with Series 4, and it can be a lifesaver for seniors who are at risk of falling. The watch can detect when you've fallen, and it will automatically call emergency services if you don't respond to the alert within a certain amount of time.
The watch can also track your heart rate and allow users to record an ECG. This can detect signs of atrial fibrillation, which can lead to blood clots and stroke if not treated. Between fall detection and heart rhythm monitoring, the Apple Watch is an extremely useful device for seniors. It’s a device that can bring you and your loved ones much-needed peace of mind while maintaining independence.
An Overall Great Choice
Apple devices are packed full of features that can be extremely helpful for seniors. Between the fall detection feature on the Apple Watch and the Emergency SOS feature, seniors can feel safe and secure in case of an emergency. The Medical ID on the iPhone can store important health information, which can be accessed quickly and easily by first responders in an emergency situation. Apple's Walking Steadiness technology can help seniors avoid falls, and the heart rhythm monitoring on the Apple Watch can detect signs of atrial fibrillation. These are just a few of the many features that make Apple devices a great choice for seniors.
Images source: support.apple.com
