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.
No actual technical solution here, but it smells slightly of XY-Problems.
From what you described it seems the main issues are
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!