How to Choose a Smartwatch for Aging Parents with GPS

• The smartwatch should match your parent’s lifestyle
• The battery life influences the usability of the smartwatch
• The first smartwatch should have fewer features
• Comfort plays a major role in wearing the smartwatch daily
• The parents should be involved in the purchase

A common mistake most adults make when choosing a smartwatch for aging parents with GPS is focusing on features. Fall detection or an SOS button sounds appealing, but it can be useless if your parents don’t like wearing a watch. So, make sure you read this article before you add that smartwatch to your cart.

Smartwatch for Aging Parents With GPS: Options & Prices

There are various GPS-enabled smartwatch options for aging parents, and they come in different price ranges. Here are a few examples to help you get a clearer picture:

• Apple Watch SE 3, $249 – it includes features like fall detection, SOS, and check-in features. The battery lasts for 11about 18 hours, so you need to charge it every night.
• Garmin Vivoactive 5, $299 – it includes GPS and health monitoring. Its battery life can go up to 11 days. The overall design and features are simple and comprehensive.
• Tranquil Watch, rental plans starting around $99/month – it works without a smartphone, offers accurate GPS location, and you can add an optional temper-resistant locking strap. The battery life is about 7 days. It is a viable option for people with dementia or for those with memory loss.
• AngelSense Watch, $299 + $65 monthly service plan – it offers real-time GPS, geofencing, and two-way voice auto-answer.  

These are a few examples that can help you identify the best type of smartwatch for your aging parent. It is also worth mentioning that independent parents, who live alone, tend to be resistant to any type of device that makes them feel monitored. In this case, the Parents are OK app (read more here) can be a solution that is easier to accept and use. It doesn’t share location or any personal information. The app notifies the adult children when there is no phone activity or when the battery is about to drain.  

Why Do Most Aging Parents Not Like Smartwatches?

The Use of Wearable Activity Trackers Among Older Adults Study reveals that 1 in 3 older adults stop using a new wearable within 6 months. Adults over 70 abandon the smartwatch even sooner. In this case, the study shows they wear it for about 2 weeks.

The problem is not the device, but the habit of putting it on each morning. If your parent cannot sleep with it on their wrist, they are likely to forget to put it on in the morning. By the time they notice it is missing, they will either already be out the door or engaged in some kind of activity for which going back to get it feels like too much trouble.

This is the first thing you need to keep in mind before you start searching for the best smart watch for aging parents with GPS. Make sure the device fits into the daily routine without having to take it on and off the wrist. These are the most important specifications you should check:

• Water-resistant: so it doesn’t have to be removed when washing dishes or taking a shower
• Lightweight: to prevent sore wrists and can be kept even during sleep.

What Does a Good Smartwatch for Aging Parents With GPS Look Like?

A good smartwatch for aging parents with GPS is one with good battery life. Here’s a good example of how different types of devices work:

• Apple watches work for about 18 hours until they need to be recharged;
• Smartwatches designed for seniors work for close to a week until they need a recharge.

So no matter how “smart” a watch is, in terms of accuracy, design, or helpful features, if the battery drains fast, it is useless. So, this is the first thing you need to check.

Another common issue that causes elders to forget about their smartwatches is their features. The more a watch buzzes at their wrist, the higher the chances it will come off. However, this does not mean you should choose the simplest version on the market. On the contrary. All these features help with accuracy.

When you pick a smartwatch for aging parents with GPS, make sure you test it first. Optimize it for best use and remove all the buzz that is useless for your parents. Also, look for comprehensive buttons and a band that is smooth enough for daily use.

Comfort is almost as important as usability. The material should be light enough to be comfortable on the wrist. Plastic or tough materials can cause rashes. Leather is the most natural material for daily use because it is friendly with the skin.

Matching the Smartwatch with Your Parents’ Lifestyle

When you pick a smartwatch, make sure you consider your parents’ health and lifestyle. To make things easier, we created these 3 groups:

1. The independent parents who are comfortable using technology: they own a smartphone and use it daily, so they are accustomed to frequent charging. An Apple Watch SE is a good option because it includes a series of family-sharing features, so you need to worry less about installing additional apps.
2. Parents who are resistant to technology: they prefer phones with longer battery life compared to modern features. In this case, it is a good idea to keep things simple and go for a smartwatch that stays charged longer and has a simple SOS button they can use in an emergency.
3. Parents who have memory issues or dementia: in this case, battery life is mandatory, along with location features.

A Short Checklist

Before you buy a smartwatch for aging parents with GPS, we recommend asking your parent whether they are comfortable with the idea. Once you are on the same page, make sure you tick all the boxes:

1. They have a compatible phone;
2. They commit to charging it;
3. They understand how it works and how to use it in case of an emergency.

If your parents are not accustomed to using technology, it is a wise idea to start with a model with fewer features and see how they handle it. And, for the first months, you may need to remind them to use it and charge it until it becomes a habit.