Hello,
Edit2:
After some time has passed since the quite scary and depressing incident that happened to my mother and that promted my original post it is quite clear that this is not something that can be fixed with more technology.
There are a couple of small and reasonable adjustments that can be made but other than that this is a human ‘problem’ that requires humans.
So I’ll try to get my mother more services with people coming to her place to help and to check up on her. I will also go there more myself and help her cook, clean, shop, etc (and ultimately I suspect I’ll have to move in with her for the end of her life).
Thanks again to everyone that got involved
/Edit2
Edit:
It’s evident that I’m having trouble to define my needs and wants in this domain, probably because I know too little. I’m learning a lot and hopefully I will be able to ask better questions soon.
I think that what I’m looking for is a wearable basic phone to receive and make calls.
Something like https://xplora.se/product/xplora-xgo3/ (Swedish, didn’t find in Englis ) or maybe even https://www.doro.com/en-gb/products/smart-devices/smartwatch/ but with less vendor lock in.
It seems that having it be a ‘real’ phone is less common than I thought but connecting to another mobile device with Bluetooth is more common, and I guess functionally there isn’t much difference
Obviously I don’t expect to find something that fits perfectly, but by aiming high I hope to find something useful
/Edit
I’ve just started to look into smartwatches and wonder if you could help me with your prior knowledge and experience.
I have some things on my wishlist, but it’s hard to understand if they are reasonable and what to look for in all the sales copy and vendor provided specifications.
I know basically nothing in this domain.
Extra background, for context
innehållsvarning
I’ve started to look into smart watches as I’d like one for my elderly mother that “never” answers her phone as she somedays turns her normal phone off if too many people want to talk to her when she doesn’t feel like it but more often than not she simply doesn’t get to the phone in time (yes it’s a mobile phone, but she uses it as an old cordless landline phone when she is at home).
The idea is to get her a smartwatch with a new number that only I, and her other caregivers and ICE contacts know about so she knows where it is (in her arm) and also knows that it’s important to answer when it rings.
Anyhooo…
.
.
- What I require:
- phone calls and text messages by cellular tech[1] (Edit: maybe this is not as easy as I thought initially, it might be more like a wish than a requirement)
- long battery time
- What I wish for:
- ability to turn stuff off (either in the stock OS or with alternative OS that is easy to install), specifically health stuff[2]
- ability to manage the watch remotely so that I can help her keep it updated.
- budget suggestions rather than premium.
- What I’ll avoid:
- Vendor lock ins like subscriptions.
- Apple products.
Well, I think that’s it, thanks for reading and I’m looking forward to your suggestions and ideas.
/Kruffa
[1] I’m not sure what the correct English term is for the tech… but using a SIM-card that connects to cell-towers using GSM/edge/4G/5G or similar.
[2] It’s my understanding that these kinds of watches can be used to track and monitor health statuses like SpO2, heartrate, etc. I don’t want her to monitor those unless there is a sure way to connect them to health and/or emergency services.
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No actual technical solution here, but it smells slightly of XY-Problems.
From what you described it seems the main issues are
- too many calls
- not knowing who’s calling
- not wanting to answer the phone
- not reaching the phone in time
Maybe you could look into solutions like setting a custom ringtone for important callers or having the phone announce caller names so your mother can decide if she wants to make the effort to get her phone.
I’m speculating a bit here but I can imagine that getting up and answering the phone is exhausting for your mother. Also if her mindset is " a ringing phone means it’s important" that could make it even more stressful.
Maybe you could find a way to let her silence all calls except caregivers and ICE contacts. (On Android DND exceptions could work for that)
That way she doesn’t feel pressured to answer the phone every time it rings and stays reachable.
If it’s actually just the physical issue of reaching the phone in time, does she have a convenient way to carry the phone indoors like a lanyard?
Hope some of this helps you
Thanks!
Yes, for sure, it’s a little bit of both.
I will try to configure DND mode for her, but I’m not sure it will be enough, but it is worth a try.
The other problem about carrying it around is more difficult. She doesn’t manage to carry her alarm around using a lanyard (it will be changed to a bracelet, this change is what triggered the idea to get her a wrist-phone too), so I can’t imagine she will carry around her phone either. Maybe with a nice bag? Worth looking into.
Anyway, thanks for the DND suggestion, I will start with that.
This sounds like thinking I had as carer for my mother with dementia/Alzheimer’s. If so, I found introducing new things to be not useful, it will be soon forgotten, (If not, good, and ignore this, but XY-Problem indeed). What I found actually useful was remote video monitoring on my phone (using a few RasPi’s, I’m sure there are better solutions, but I was poor, and it worked) allowing me to go out in necessity. The other thing I wish I’d done earlier is reach out to any and all available support earlier rather than later, it’s a marathon and every edge you can get will allow you to do better for all concerned, not least yourself.
That said, watches with automatic fall monitoring, with SMS alert to you would be useful. Ideally, something like Alexa (but preferably not as privacy invading, still, needs must as the devil drives) or whatever allowing her to just call out “help” and get a call to you on a speaker / microphone is probably achievable now, perhaps someone can chime in, or you can go searching. Best of luck!
https://pine64.com/product/pinetime-smartwatch-sealed/
The PineTime will get you quite a bit of your list, while you save up for something else:
- affordable ~$30
- battery life: I charge it about every 4 days, out of habit, but it seems like it should go for over a week as it has half battery left when I recharge
- notifications, media controls
- no vendor lock in
- ability to turn stuff off, it’s fully open source, no vendor is forcing features
Yep the Pinetime can last for about 2 weeks on Infinitime in my case
Thanks, this looks like a superfun little gadget.
Unfortunately it lacks any kind of sound output[1] so it doesn’t cut it for my intended use.
[1] https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/PineTime_FAQ#Does_PineTime_have_an_audible_beeper_or_speaker?
More like 60$ if you live in the EU
You can change how long a phone rings for. Talk to her telco for both landline and mobile.
In my experience, if someone doesn’t want to answer the phone, strapping it to their arm is unlikely to make any difference and in my experience they’re more likely than not to leave it on the charger.
Long battery life and tiny battery are on opposite ends of physics. Pick your poison.
Health monitoring is unlikely to be transmitted to emergency services, except iOS fall detection.
iOS and Android are both tracking as much as they can get away with.
Remote management is likely only with devices used in corporate settings.
So your requirement with cellular calling (eSIM) is already fairly restrictive and depends on which market we’re talking about. Where I live (.se) you get to choose between Apple and Samsung and since Apple was out of the question, you’re stuck with Samsung.
Not entirely sure if your second requirement with long battery life can be fulfilled. You’ll be charging the watch every day, probably more often if you take calls on it.
There’s some rumors that Garmin Forerunner/epix will get eSIM support, but that will be also carrier dependent.
These wearables are pretty complicated high end devices, I wouldn’t really give them to elderly parents who stuggle using a normal mobile.
I think it might be better to look into other tyoe of devices like pager systems from caregivers, if you’re worried about health issues.
If you ever sweat, like ever, smart watches may not be for you. I’ve had 3, different brands (all Android Wear OS), and my sweat eventually tarnished the charging contacts to the point of no use (even after being cleaned with alcohol and something abrasive) all three times.
So, if you sweat, you’re gonna wanna make sure the charging contacts don’t touch your skin. Ever.
Galaxy Watch, the original Pixel Watch and the Apple Watch have no charging contacts. It’s really the way to go.
The contacts have been an issue forever, like I remember it messing up a Fitbit a decade ago. Really crazy that it’s still a problem.
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Yeah, inductive charging is basically a must.
Especially because it eliminates the guesswork if the watch is correctly seated to charge
I wonder why nobody makes a phone specialized for elderly people these days. Those smart gadgets are absolutely horrible for elderlies. They can’t do literally nothing because the UI is too complex for them.
Something simple like a speaker + mic with a set of big buttons together with stickers of who to call is everything they need. No Whatsapp, also probably no email. Then add a forced call mode that only carers and families can activate.
Check out iOS Assistive Access. It greatly enlarges and simplifies the UI to cater to cognitive impairments
I think there are a few of those, but as with everything targeted to scared relatives/caretakers it is quite expensive and hard to tell how it will age.
Look into Bangle.js, it’s what I have, it fits some, not all of your requirements.
It’s open source, both the hardware and the software so no lock ins whatsoever.
They advertise a 2 week battery, mine lasts closer to a month between charges.
You have to install any features you want (every feature is opt in, not opt out).
There’s no speaker, microphone, or keyboard though, so no calling or texting straight from the watch. It’s currently £77 before shipping.
Are you sure your mother will charge her watch everyday though
Nope, that is a good point.
I think I wrote my original message in a slightly distressed state after a quite bad event where she needed to get in contact with anybody and couldn’t.
After some thinking and time away from that scary incident it is quite clear that this mostly is a XY situation (as someone thought) and just getting her a bracelet for her alarm is probably as big a technological fix there can be.
Not sure if that is an option for you too, but I have a scanwatch light myself. It is a hybrid smartwatch, being a classic analog watch with a small black and white display in the background.
The scanwatch products are health focused, allowing the user to track a variety of health stats like heartrate, activities and sleep analysis. It is very energy efficient, requring a a recharge about once a month in my case.
It is noteworthy that the hybrid concept makes some cuts to the smartness of the watch, for example replying to messages from the watch is not possible, only reading them as they come in. It doesn’t have touch functionality either, instead you control it with the bezel.
You can configure in the smartphone app which apps are allowed to relay notifications to the watch, giving you the option to filter out most noise that is not relevant to your mom. You can also set up activity plans to track and/or remind her to engage in some moderate activities like taking a walk.
Do note though that the watch asks for a subscription for some premium functions, like workout plans and more in depth health analysis. I don’t have that myself either though, being able to generally monitor my activities is enough for me. The watch also relies on the paired smartphone for its gps functionality, without the phone it would essentially be reduced to a classic wristwatch.
Thank you, it is evident that I’m having trouble to define my needs and wants in this domain. I’m learning a lot.
Your idea is rather opposite of what I’m looking for and I apologize for not being clear enough.
It is my understanding that many of these devices are health focused but I’m not looking health stuff unless it can be relayed to and used by her professional caregivers.
I’m looking for a wearable basic phone to receive and make calls.
