Looking for fitbit type tracker advice.

[jo-jo]

My DH has had a few falls. Never hurt aside from a few black and blue marks. But once down on the ground, he can't get himself up again without some help. DS mention about watch/tracker that has fall dectection. But DH and myself have had has issues with skin irritation with the bands. Funny I wore a leather band for years and years, no issues. Fitbit bands. issues every few months. I think for me it has to do with cleaning. (that's it, no more cleaning, it's a hazard) Maybe more water getting under the band.

Any one have an ideas how to approach this problem? I know there are pendents one can wear, but I don't DH would go for that.
Would the fall detection on a watch still work if in pocket? I don't care about how many steps, etc. Just if DH is out of line of sight and goes down.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I have a Fitbit Versa.

On my recent cruise the ship time and port time were an hour ahead of the departure port. I didnt wear my fitbit on the cruise as I didnt change the time, however I did want to track my steps. I had my fitbit attached to my bag both on the ship and on my port day. My steps were still tracked even though it wasnt on my wrist.

I also switched out the normal watch straps for a scrunchie style strap. Its a lot softer and more comfortable. I bought mine on Amazon, theres lots of colours and styles available.

 

[Karin1984]

Something else first, when your husband falls, what happens? Is he unconscious, does he requires medical attention or can just anyone come over to help him up again; does the device need to contact 911 or family/friends?

I would not just think about the now, but also foreseeable future.

There are medical alert devices that come as a bracelet or a necklace. I don't think they will track as accurately when they are in your pocket.

The issue with the strap is probably just trial and error, see what works well for you.

 

[wenrob]

Apple Watch will call 911 and notify your emergency contacts if you fall and don’t respond. At the very least if he falls and can’t get up but doesn’t think he needs emergency services he can use the watch to call you or someone else.

Unfortunately it will not work if it’s not worn on the wrist. Has he tried a woven or fabric band? There are so many to choose from, there’s bound to be something that works.

I have known three people who have died from falls at home and my FIL lay paralyzed on his kitchen floor for three days before someone found him. I can’t help but think how things would be different if they had been wearing an Apple Watch or something equivalent.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Absolutely an Apple Watch in this case.

 

[wenrob]

Something else first, when your husband falls, what happens? Is he unconscious, does he requires medical attention or can just anyone come over to help him up again; does the device need to contact 911 or family/friends?

I would not just think about the now, but also foreseeable future.

There are medical alert devices that come as a bracelet or a necklace. I don't think they will track as accurately when they are in your pocket.

The issue with the strap is probably just trial and error, see what works well for you.

I would add to this that if you go with a medical alert device, make sure it will alert services if your DH goes down and is unresponsive. A lot of them depend on the wearer pushing a button to call for help. They also come with a fee. Today’s smart devices do not.

 

[unrequited23]

DH wears an apple watch. He tends to over tighten it and get skin irritations. I got him some stretchy web bands from Amazon and the problem cleared up.

 

[Travel60]

This won't answer your question directly but FitBit is on my"do not buy again" list. My first one bricked after 2 years when my phone updated and FitBit decided not to update their software to work on updated phone. I went without it for several months but yielded to DH's pressure to buy me a new one for Christmas. The mechanism that snaps the band into the "watch" part is badly designed. After several months the attachment piece broke. I got on to a Fitbit website and it's not just me - lots of people reported it. I superglued it back on and it lasted a few more months and broke again. Too much money for only a couple of years life. Won't buy again.

 

[fla4fun]

I agree that an Apple Watch would be a good solution. With family setup, the watch can be linked to another iPhone which could alert someone that he needs assistance.

As someone who has a lot of allergies, I also agree that a cloth band of some sort might be the best choice to start with. I do okay with the silicone bands and cloth bands, but I break out if I use a leather band.

Of course, if you have an android phone, you’ll need a different solution . . .

 

[NotUrsula]

This article lists alternatives to the iPhone that will also give fall alerts, if you have Android or just want to spend a bit less. https://www.makeuseof.com/which-smartwatches-fitness-trackers-have-fall-detection/ Note that the widest selection of alternative bands is definitely going to be for the iPhone; the others will have few to no options.

It's very possible that like me, he is sensitive to silicone. Something that also can be done is wearing a fabric sweatband on the wrist under the phone or a fabric tube that the watch fits into to keep the synthetic material off the skin. I find that if I wear the band fastened very loosely I'm not as apt to react; to keep it from falling off you would want to use a keeper, like these: https://www.amazon.com/Molain-Repla...9022869&hvtargid=pla-1605028970599&th=1&psc=1

FWIW, devices worn on the chest are the most accurate sensors because that gives the device more distance from the floor to detect with the accelerometer. Perhaps if your husband won't wear a lanyard under his shirt, he might be willing to wear something that attaches to his shirt pocket? (Also, a nurse friend of mine pointed out once that for convincing older men to wear "a necklace", the best analogy is military ID tags. Any veteran will have been drilled on how important those are, and this is the same kind of thing.)

PS: If getting him to keep his phone with him would provide a good solution, then perhaps getting him a belt holster case for it might help him be more willing to do that? Some people really don't like carrying a phone in a pocket; afraid it will break or get scratched.

 

[jo-jo]

Something else first, when your husband falls, what happens? Is he unconscious, does he requires medical attention or can just anyone come over to help him up again; does the device need to contact 911 or family/friends?

I would not just think about the now, but also foreseeable future.

There are medical alert devices that come as a bracelet or a necklace. I don't think they will track as accurately when they are in your pocket.

The issue with the strap is probably just trial and error, see what works well for you.

Just balance issue or mis-step and goes down. Twice I’ve found him just sitting on the lawn. Just can’t get up again by himself. If I haven’t seen for more than 15-20 mins ,I go looking. Yes, I’ve told him to carry phone with him………

 

[jo-jo]

Many thanks to all for ideas and suggestions.


A lot to look into.

 

[Karin1984]

You probably already know, but going to say it just in case: balance problems can be a symptom for bigger health problems. You might want to visit a doctor to rule that out.

 

[cvjw]

Apple Watch with fall protection. I bought one for my husband and son for when they go mountain bike riding. Both have had pretty serious falls. With the Apple Watch, it will alert me if they have an accident and can’t get up. It will also alert the authorities - even providing their location to first responders.

If the watch detects a fall, it gives the wearer an alert first. It doesn’t automatically call 911.

Both of DH’s elderly parents wear one - just for fall protection.

 

[lovesmurfs]

You've gotten great advice. On the skin irritation front, I had problems with all of my FitBits until I purchased some fabric bands -- they're inexpensive but look nice, and they don't give me the irritation that the silicon (?) does.

 

[jo-jo]

You probably already know, but going to say it just in case: balance problems can be a symptom for bigger health problems. You might want to visit a doctor to rule that out.

Thank you for the suggestion, but if we go two weeks without a dr visit, thats a lot. But there are others who may not realize it.

Just like the suggestions for fabric bands. I had no idea. Might look into that for myself .

 

[lovesmurfs]

Thank you for the suggestion, but if we go two weeks without a dr visit, thats a lot. But there are others who may not realize it.

Just like the suggestions for fabric bands. I had no idea. Might look into that for myself .

I have a Sense -- this was the last set I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GVKK2MN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[wenrob]

This article lists alternatives to the iPhone that will also give fall alerts, if you have Android or just want to spend a bit less. https://www.makeuseof.com/which-smartwatches-fitness-trackers-have-fall-detection/ Note that the widest selection of alternative bands is definitely going to be for the iPhone; the others will have few to no options.

It's very possible that like me, he is sensitive to silicone. Something that also can be done is wearing a fabric sweatband on the wrist under the phone or a fabric tube that the watch fits into to keep the synthetic material off the skin. I find that if I wear the band fastened very loosely I'm not as apt to react; to keep it from falling off you would want to use a keeper, like these: https://www.amazon.com/Molain-Repla...9022869&hvtargid=pla-1605028970599&th=1&psc=1

FWIW, devices worn on the chest are the most accurate sensors because that gives the device more distance from the floor to detect with the accelerometer. Perhaps if your husband won't wear a lanyard under his shirt, he might be willing to wear something that attaches to his shirt pocket? (Also, a nurse friend of mine pointed out once that for convincing older men to wear "a necklace", the best analogy is military ID tags. Any veteran will have been drilled on how important those are, and this is the same kind of thing.)

PS: If getting him to keep his phone with him would provide a good solution, then perhaps getting him a belt holster case for it might help him be more willing to do that? Some people really don't like carrying a phone in a pocket; afraid it will break or get scratched.

A smart watch will not function properly if worn loosely. Their functions depend largely on the sensor making skin contact. If it’s sliding up and down or around your wrist you’re not going to get accurate readings. Alternatively they will cause issues if worn too tight. A good rule of thumb is being able to fit a finger between the band and the underside of your wrist.

OG Apple Watch Bands are not silicone, they are fluoroelastomer so if silicone is a concern they wouldn’t be a problem. They also have bands made of nylon and stretchy woven materials. Usually the issue with reactions to bands (aside from allergies) is being worn too tight and not being cleaned and dried well enough. Moisture gets trapped beneath them. I wipe my watch and band down every day with an alcohol wipe made for glasses. Periodically I toss the bands in my jewelry cleaner and let them thoroughly air dry.

 

[maxaroni]

You probably already know, but going to say it just in case: balance problems can be a symptom for bigger health problems. You might want to visit a doctor to rule that out.

Thank you for the suggestion, but if we go two weeks without a dr visit, thats a lot. But there are others who may not realize it.

Just like the suggestions for fabric bands. I had no idea. Might look into that for myself .

Just piggybacking to this, my mom had lots of falls due to balance issues and it was a bigger health issue that was not detectable until she had CTs & MRIs. Not saying that is your husbands issues, but something to keep in the back of your mind.