Best Apple Watch for Seniors & Ways to Benefit from Wearing One

One may see advertisements for the Apple Watch suggesting it is a device for active young adults in their twenties who are always cycling or hiking.

However, the majority of wearers don't truly fit that description. 

These wonderful devices may also be practically lifesaving for the elderly. 

Here is all the information you need to decide whether to purchase your elderly family member the best Apple Watch for seniors. 

What is the best Apple Watch for seniors?

What to Consider When Buying an Apple Watch Seniors?

Seniors have certain wants and preferences, so below are a few things you should think of when purchasing an Apple Watch for them.

Price

Even if there are certain Apple Watches for seniors that are quite costly, there are also less costly choices.

Therefore, cost, features, and functionality should all be taken into consideration when selecting an Apple Watch elderly. 

Consider price when buying the best Apple Watches for seniors

A less costly watch could still be more cost-effective while still fulfilling the wearer's demands. 

Still, a more expensive watch might have additional functions.

Compatibility

While certain Apple Watches may only be used in conjunction with an iPhone, others are stand-alone gadgets.

Consider the compatibility of Apple Watch with other devices 

A companion Apple Watch is the greatest option for seniors who currently own an iPhone since it will provide more features and capabilities. 

Nonetheless, a stand-alone Apple Watch could be a more suitable choice for elders who don't own an iPhone or would rather not use one.

Ease of use

Selecting an easy-to-use and intuitive watch is crucial since many older people might not be as tech-savvy as younger ones.

When selecting an Apple Watch for elderly, some considerations to make note of are:

The best Apple Watch for elderly should be user-friendly 

Watch size

Since Apple Watches come in a range of sizes, it is vital to pick one that is both simple to see and fits comfortably on the wearer's wrist. 

An Apple Watch for older adults with a bigger display and easier-to-read text would be a better option for those who have vision problems. 

On the other hand, a more compact and lightweight Apple Watch would fit those with tiny wrists better.

Size is a key factor to take into account

Read more: Best Apple Watch for nurses

Best Apple Watch Features for Seniors

For seniors in particular, the Apple Watch is an effective tool for managing and monitoring their health. 

It gathers a plethora of health information that may be used to pinpoint underlying medical conditions by passively monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen levels, etc.

The Apple Watch features for elderly included in the Apple Health app are listed below.

Apple Watch features for elderly

Heart rate monitoring

The optical heart rate sensor included on the underside of every Apple Watch allows you to check your heart rate directly from your wrist. 

Your heart rate is continuously monitored by the watch in the background while you are exercising or going about your everyday routine.

Your activity/workout averages, daily resting rate, and other metrics are calculated by the watch using that information.

Heart rate notifications

Heart rate monitoring and notifications

While you are at rest, most Apple Watch models perform a background check for abnormally high or low heart rates. 

They will notify you when your heart rate falls below 40 bpm or rises beyond 120 bpm when inactive for ten minutes. 

AFib history

Wearing an Apple Watch becomes even more crucial for elderly people who are experiencing AFib.

The device can monitor how frequently an individual's heart exhibits AFib signs and simultaneously correlate those events with life factors that may have an effect on the condition. 

Further, the AFib History function of the watch regularly and passively monitors the wearer's heart rhythm for indications of AFib. 

AFib is among the best Apple Watch safety features for seniors

ECG monitoring

One element that assists elders in tracking their heart health is ECG monitoring. 

An ECG app on the best Apple Watches can capture your heart's electrical activity and deliver you a comprehensive report. 

Seniors who use this function can also identify abnormal heart rhythms, which may indicate a serious cardiac problem.

Blood oxygen saturation monitoring 

In addition to ECG, the blood oxygen saturation monitoring function on Apple's flagship wearable can help the elderly take better care of their general health.

Best Apple Watches for seniors can monitor blood oxygen saturation

The blood oxygen sensor allows seniors to keep an eye on their oxygen levels, which is critical since many factors, like heart issues and painkillers, can result in low oxygen levels.

Fall and crash detection

If detecting a fall, an Apple Watch seniors will tap on the wrist, sound an alarm, and display an alert. 

In the event that a person remains motionless for more than sixty seconds without responding, the watch will immediately dial 911 and notify the designated emergency contacts with their location.

Apple Watch for elderly fall is automatically activated for users 55 years of age and above.

Crash detection, or fall detection for vehicle accidents, is also available on more current Apple Watch models.

Apple Watch for seniors fall detection

Emergency SOS

Another crucial feature of the Apple Watch for seniors safety is the Emergency SOS. 

If elderly people have an emergency, whether medical or otherwise, they may instantly contact 911 or local emergency services by using Emergency SOS.

It is simple to get assistance by long pressing the side button of the watch until the Emergency SOS options show.

 Emergency SOS feature

Best Apple Watch for Seniors

No matter whether you are looking for the best Apple Watch for teenager or older adults, there are a number of choices available that meet your needs. 

The best Apple Watches for elderly are as follows:

Can Seniors Wear Older Apple Watch Models?

It is crucial to take into account the features that will best meet their demands when selecting the best Apple Watch for elderly safety. 

Although more affordable, certain old Apple Watch models lack features that are essential for seniors.

The Apple Watch Series 3, which has limited storage and no fall detection, is something we advise against purchasing. 

What is the best Apple Watch for elderly?

Instead, you should go for the best Apple Watch for seniors with fall detection and ECG app like the Apple Watch Series 4 or later versions. 

Given that they can monitor heart health and identify falls, these features are especially crucial for the elderly.

The Apple Watch Series 5 is also a fantastic choice if you're on a tight budget. 

It is less expensive than the Series 6 but contains many of the same functions, such as fall detection and an always-on display.

Even while Apple no longer offers older models directly, you can still purchase them on third-party retail websites like Amazon.

Get our suggestions below:

Alternatives to Apple Watch for Seniors

Older individuals may benefit from a variety of alternatives in addition to the Apple Watch.

Like many Apple Watch safety features for seniors, these watches also have many functions like heart rate tracking, fall detection, medical alert access, etc.