Away from the mainstream success of FitBit, Apple Watch and co., the market for wearables targeted at ageing health challenges is growing rapidly. Agetech World looks at some of the devices and trends on the rise in this field.
Fall detection devices
As we age, we suffer more balance issues and become weaker, leading to falls.
These falls can be particularly worrying if the person is living alone, which is why fall detection wearables, which can alert family, a neighbour or carer that its owner might have fallen, are an important innovation.
Such devices are generally worn around the wrist or neck, and feature a button the wearer can press if they need help. Once activated, the device will notify loved ones, healthcare workers or emergency services and provide a GPS location, automatically sending help.
However, there’s not always the need for a specialist device; many smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch 4 series, feature a fall monitor, which is automatically switched on if the wearer is over 65.
Wearable heart monitors
Heart health becomes increasingly important for seniors, as natural changes in body organs and their functionality affect the circulation and blood vessels.
As such, the elderly are more vulnerable to cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and heart failure than other people in the population.
Many smartwatches and fitness trackers now feature a heart-monitoring function, offering solutions such as accurate heart reporting and resting heart rate readings, along with reminders to move if the wearer has been sedentary for too long.
There is also the option of a wearable chest strap, with none of the added distractions of a smartwatch.
These can also be used to detect atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), or bradycardia and tachycardia; abnormally low or high heart rates respectively.
Blood pressure tech
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is another problem that becomes more common the older we get and can lead to complications such as stroke, heart disease, eye problems or kidney failure.
While some people have symptoms of hypertension, such headaches and vision changes, many don’t have any, which means diagnosis and treatment is often left too late.
This is why regular blood pressure monitoring is crucial, and the new generation of wearable tech could be the solution.
While the tech is still in its infancy, and there are currently questions over its accuracy, recent developments by Apple and Samsung mean it could soon become mainstream.
Wearables for dementia
Dementia is estimated to affect around seven per cent of over-65s and can be traumatic for both patients and loved ones.
As memory and cognitive function worsens, patients will often become forgetful and unaware of their surroundings, leading them to wander.
A new generation of wearables use GPS technology and other data to monitor patients, alerting carers to any changes in activity, such as being too close to an exit or having left their home.
Medication reminders
Another aspect of growing older is the amount of medications needed as part of daily life, many at different times of the day.
While many smartwatches have a reminder function, there are a few wearables on the market solely dedicated to medication.
One, the MedCenter Daily Travel Watch, is even combined with a small pill container, ideal for travelling or attending hospital appointments.
Independent living
As well as the above specific options, there are a number of wearables on the market that offer a more general range of support.
The Buddi range, for example, focuses is on enabling people to live independently in their own homes for longer, through innovations such as fall detection, connectivity solutions and a location finder, all in one neat wristband.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches are full of innovative technology that can be of real benefit to the older generation too.
From heart rate and blood oxygen monitors to GPS and activity trackers, smartwatches can keep track of many aspects of an elderly person’s health, allowing them more independence and giving them and their caregivers access to vital information at the touch of a button.
The other added benefit of an all-purpose smartwatch is the lack of stigma attached; while a fall-detection pendant can be seen to highlight the user’s age and frailty, the latest generation of wearable tech is suitable for all ages.
After all, any of the wearables mentioned above are only of use if they are actually worn, so removing any stigma is of utmost importance.
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