An Apple watch to monitor our parents' health remotely
Monitor your parent's health remotely with an Apple Watch: detect falls, ECG, blood oxygen and send alerts to family members from a compatible iPhone, ideal for seniors with models from Series 4 or SE.
We have been using the advantages of the Apple ecosystem for a few years now to be better connected, and more specifically to monitor the health of the family. As I have been asked some recommendation, this would be my choice if I had to upgrade today, as every year there are new models and features. I know it can be done with other brands and models, but my choice is this (iPhone Phone + Apple Watch).
Apple Watch:
The base of everything as it is the device that has all the sensors, and that we carry with us, with the possibility of always being connected. https://www.apple.com/es/watch/compare (click on compare all models).
- GPS or GPS + Cellular:
The watch is always connected in proximity to the iPhone, but you can buy a model with its own SIM card.- If the person is in the habit of always having their iPhone with them, you can skip the "+ Cellular" option and just use the GPS version.
- However, if it is a person who does NOT usually carry it with him (or does sports activities in which he takes it off), having his phone on his wrist is clearly the recommendation.
- Size "small or large":
Beyond aesthetic considerations, keep in mind that the larger the more visible the screen is, especially without glasses.
Depending on the series you can choose between 38 or 42mm (Series 1,2,3), 40 or 44mm (Series 4,5,6, SE1, SE2), 41 or 45mm (Series 7,8,9) and 49mm (Ultra, Ultra 2). The brightness of the display is improving with the new generations, and since Series 5 it is always visible (albeit dimmed).
- Models Series 4 or higher, or SE.
The latest model released in 2023 is the Series 9 and Ultra 2. However for my recommendation in this context of monitoring the health of older people, I would say that it can be considered from the Series 4 model, (available 2nd hand). Apple also brings out versions reduced in features and price called SE, both the 1st generation and the current 2nd generation has fall detection and could be considered. I detail it for the features:- Drop Detection (From Series 4)
The ultimate feature that made us start using it after some scare. If you fall with the watch on you, a voice (SIRI) asks you if you need assistance and the emergency button appears on the screen. You can configure it to alert and automatically call family members in addition to 112.- Accident detection also from the 8 Series and SE2 (for those who drive).
- Heart rate
Available from the first models, and with notification of anomalies. 24h heart rate monitoring. A 2nd generation sensor is available from 4 Series and SE1/SE2, and 3rd generation from 6 Series and Ultra. - Sleep phases (from Series 4)
- Electrocardiogram ECG (From Series 4)
You can do it on demand and you have the result on the phone to show the doctor later in consultation. You can do it as many times as you want. - Oxygen level (From Series 6)
The more sensors the better, especially important if there are respiratory insufficiencies. - Temperature sensor (from Series 8 and Ultra)
I have not tested it, I suppose it may be relevant
- Drop Detection (From Series 4)
- Other interesting features included:
- You can share your health data with family members, and they receive notification if there are changes in habits or anomalies.
- Location sharing, you can know at every moment where everyone is.
- Reminders to get up, and to have more activity with the rings.
- Sleep control, if you charge it during the day and you have it sleeping, it monitors your sleep and wakes you up if you want with vibrations. In night mode the screen also adapts and you can see the time without glasses and without luminosity.
- Pay with the watch, no codes.
- Fast charging from the 7 Series
The Apple iPhone phone:
You need at least one iPhone with IOS14 (minimum IPhone 6s) to set up and connect the apple watch, ideally each watch wearer has their own account and iPhone, but there is the family setup that allows you to connect multiple watches to a single iPhone, https://support.apple.com/en-US/HT211768 but be aware that this disables some important functions (Medication, respiration rate, irregular rhythm notifications, ECG, Atrial Fibrillation History, Cycle Control, Sleep, Wrist Temperature, Blood Oxygen, Audiobooks, Remote, News, Home and shortcuts).
Currently the new models available are iPhone SE, 13, 14 and 15 https://www.apple.com/es/iphone/compare/ but as with the watch, you can resort to an older model available second hand, as the cheapest new model is at 529€ on the Apple website.
Buy new or second hand:
Apple Watch SE2 : 279€ brand new https://www.apple.com/es/apple-watch-se/
Apple iPhone SE : 529€ new https://www.apple.com/es/iphone-se/
All new and refurbished Apple Watches on Amazon
All new and refurbished iPhones on Amazon
For several years now I have been buying used Apple devices on https://www.backmarket.es/es-es if you use this discount code: 9e5809041ac00065 you will get £10. You can choose states of use "Correct, Very Good and Excellent", has the possibility of return (it has happened to me and without problems) and extended warranty.
You can find a Watch Series 6 for just over 250€ and an iPhone XR with new battery for less than 300€.
We have been using the advantages of the Apple ecosystem for a few years now to be better connected, and more specifically to monitor the health of the family. As I have been asked some recommendation, this would be my choice if I had to upgrade today, as every year there are new models and features. I know it can be done with other brands and models, but my choice is this (iPhone Phone + Apple Watch).
Apple Watch:
The base of everything as it is the device that has all the sensors, and that we carry with us, with the possibility of always being connected. https://www.apple.com/es/watch/compare (click on compare all models).
- GPS or GPS + Cellular:
The watch is always connected in proximity to the iPhone, but you can buy a model with its own SIM card.- If the person is in the habit of always having their iPhone with them, you can skip the "+ Cellular" option and just use the GPS version.
- However, if it is a person who does NOT usually carry it with him (or does sports activities in which he takes it off), having his phone on his wrist is clearly the recommendation.
- Size "small or large":
Beyond aesthetic considerations, keep in mind that the larger the more visible the screen is, especially without glasses.
Depending on the series you can choose between 38 or 42mm (Series 1,2,3), 40 or 44mm (Series 4,5,6, SE1, SE2), 41 or 45mm (Series 7,8,9) and 49mm (Ultra, Ultra 2). The brightness of the display is improving with the new generations, and since Series 5 it is always visible (albeit dimmed).
- Models Series 4 or higher, or SE.
The latest model released in 2023 is the Series 9 and Ultra 2. However for my recommendation in this context of monitoring the health of older people, I would say that it can be considered from the Series 4 model, (available 2nd hand). Apple also brings out versions reduced in features and price called SE, both the 1st generation and the current 2nd generation has fall detection and could be considered. I detail it for the features:- Drop Detection (From Series 4)
The ultimate feature that made us start using it after some scare. If you fall with the watch on you, a voice (SIRI) asks you if you need assistance and the emergency button appears on the screen. You can configure it to alert and automatically call family members in addition to 112.- Accident detection also from the 8 Series and SE2 (for those who drive).
- Heart rate
Available from the first models, and with notification of anomalies. 24h heart rate monitoring. A 2nd generation sensor is available from 4 Series and SE1/SE2, and 3rd generation from 6 Series and Ultra. - Sleep phases (from Series 4)
- Electrocardiogram ECG (From Series 4)
You can do it on demand and you have the result on the phone to show the doctor later in consultation. You can do it as many times as you want. - Oxygen level (From Series 6)
The more sensors the better, especially important if there are respiratory insufficiencies. - Temperature sensor (from Series 8 and Ultra)
I have not tested it, I suppose it may be relevant
- Drop Detection (From Series 4)
- Other interesting features included:
- You can share your health data with family members, and they receive notification if there are changes in habits or anomalies.
- Location sharing, you can know at every moment where everyone is.
- Reminders to get up, and to have more activity with the rings.
- Sleep control, if you charge it during the day and you have it sleeping, it monitors your sleep and wakes you up if you want with vibrations. In night mode the screen also adapts and you can see the time without glasses and without luminosity.
- Pay with the watch, no codes.
- Fast charging from the 7 Series
The Apple iPhone phone:
You need at least one iPhone with IOS14 (minimum IPhone 6s) to set up and connect the apple watch, ideally each watch wearer has their own account and iPhone, but there is the family setup that allows you to connect multiple watches to a single iPhone, https://support.apple.com/en-US/HT211768 but be aware that this disables some important functions (Medication, respiration rate, irregular rhythm notifications, ECG, Atrial Fibrillation History, Cycle Control, Sleep, Wrist Temperature, Blood Oxygen, Audiobooks, Remote, News, Home and shortcuts).
Currently the new models available are iPhone SE, 13, 14 and 15 https://www.apple.com/es/iphone/compare/ but as with the watch, you can resort to an older model available second hand, as the cheapest new model is at 529€ on the Apple website.
Buy new or second hand:
Apple Watch SE2 : 279€ brand new https://www.apple.com/es/apple-watch-se/
Apple iPhone SE : 529€ new https://www.apple.com/es/iphone-se/
All new and refurbished Apple Watches on Amazon
All new and refurbished iPhones on Amazon
For several years now I have been buying used Apple devices on https://www.backmarket.es/es-es if you use this discount code: 9e5809041ac00065 you will get £10. You can choose states of use "Correct, Very Good and Excellent", has the possibility of return (it has happened to me and without problems) and extended warranty.
You can find a Watch Series 6 for just over 250€ and an iPhone XR with new battery for less than 300€.