Recommendations for a simple fall-detecting watch for an elderly parent please

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I need to find a fall-detecting watch for my dad, who lives in a bungalow adjacent to our house and has advanced MS but maintains some much fought-for independence. He really struggles with learning to use new things so the simpler the better. Easy to put on and take off would be good too. He suggested this solution as he's fallen a lot recently and we all worry that he won't be able to reach his phone and will be there for hours. However, he is struggling to do the research on a suitable model. He has an android phone, so an iphone is out, I think? Has anyone used one in the past for elderly parents and can recommend (or advise against!) a specific watch?

Then I’m sorry but they may well have not been safe to be home alone. These buttons are a safety tool not a guarantee that they will help in all scenarios. They are certainly not a replacement for people actively checking in on someone.

This is worth considering. My DM didn't use her one twice in emergencies,now we are looking at her going into a home.

@Havealovelyday Can the Your Stride be worn in the shower? We’re looking into something for my Mum but she wants something that doesn’t look too much like an ‘old persons’ alarm. She’d like it to tell the time & I’d like it to be showerproof.

@twitchwitch No. The your stride watch is splash proof but not shower proof no. Okay for washing up but they don’t recommend full immersion in water. We’ve just upgraded Mums and she’s really pleased with the look of the newer model. She would not wear it otherwise. It also gives us a GPS location for her, step count, blood pressure and heart rate . You can be notified if they’re inactive should you wish (less than 100 steps by a daily time of your choice). We’re really pleased with it and Mum feels very reassured by it.

A wrist alarm that looks like a Fitbit gets worn; a pendant that screams 'old and frail' ends up in a drawer, so your watch instinct is right for him. Whatever you pick, check it's TSA-accredited and that it reaches a monitored careline with real people, not just a family number that might be at work when he goes down. Before buying retail, it's worth ringing adult social care for a Telecare or falls assessment: they arrange the same kit, often cheaper than Age UK's £20-odd a month, sometimes free after a means test. One honest flag with MS, the auto-detection can miss a slow slide down a wall rather than a hard fall, so the manual button matters too. Has he had a needs assessment yet, or would framing it as peace of mind for you rather than him be the easier way in?

I’d treat a watch as an extra layer, not the main safety plan. Fall detection can miss slow slips, and anything worn needs testing during the actual transfers he finds difficult. A simple call button with a real person answering may be more useful than a smartwatch, especially if he can’t reliably use voice commands. I’d also ask an occupational therapist to check the wheelchair-to-scooter and bathroom setup.

For transfer aids, bath safety gear, or mobility equipment, I’ve browsed ^https://dansonsmedical.com/^ as another place to compare options. Check weight limits, measurements, charging needs, and returns carefully before ordering.