Last Updated on July 13, 2021
There are many seniors who are uncomfortable with the idea of using traditional life alert systems for various reasons. The Bay Alarm Medical SOS smartwatch is a senior-citizen friendly smartwatch designed to counter that. Bay Alarm Medical is an established name in the medical alert community. The watch is a breath of fresh air in the world of single-button alert systems. It is a welcome addition to Bay Alarm Medical’s line of mobile alert devices.
What is Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch?
Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch is a well-designed smartwatch that also acts as a medical alert. The watch is sleek and comes with a bright touchscreen for easy functionality. It looks just like any other smartwatch on the market and makes for a good dress watch.
The watch comes with a discreet SOS button on the left-side. The design doesn’t scream “life alert,” and yet it’s very straightforward for the elderly to push on the button and get help. You simply have to hold the button down and a trained monitoring operator will be on the line.
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The watch comes with a circular dial, which displays an analog clock face. The clock face is customizable but comes pre-programmed for easy usage.
Unlike other smartwatches, there are no games or extra apps except a pre-installed fitness app. It is designed to be clutter-free and easy-to-use.
How It Works
This SOS wrist watch is a wearable smart device that operates independently from a smartphone. It comes pre-installed with a 4G LTE SIM card, which allows for crystal clear calls, location tracking, and faster response time.
Once charged up, the watch is ready to go. No additional installation or set-up procedures are required.
Pressing the SOS button located on the left will place a call to Bay Alarm Medical’s 24/7 emergency monitoring center. You simply need to press and hold till a trained monitoring operator opens up a two-way communication channel.
Through speaking with the customer and use of the device’s GPS tracking, the dispatcher will know where their customer is located. The operator will, depending on the circumstances, establish contact with family, friends, neighbors, and local emergency services.
Cost
The Bay Alarm Medical SOS smartwatch comes with a price tag of $179. The pricing is reasonable for a well-designed watch made with high-grade materials.
There is an ongoing monitoring fee of $29.95 each month. The fee is for the SOS monitoring service, which are available 24/7. The monitoring fee stacks up well against other life alert systems.
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Sleek Contemporary Design
The design of the watch is quite contemporary, making users feel like they are not wearing an outdated piece of equipment. It is suitable for tech-savvy seniors who like to be fashionable and healthy.
The inconspicuous SOS button is by design, it is so that you do not have to be worried about others noticing you have a life alert system on you. The watch is made up of the highest quality of materials, thus giving users the feel of a well-crafted wristwatch with the addition of a medical alert.
Pre-Programmed For The Elderly
When you open the box, the watch comes with the best possible display settings and an AT&T sim card. You can switch it on and it is ready to use. There is zero installation and setup required. However, if required you can adjust the settings to better suit the user.
Like any smartwatch, it comes feature-packed. This kicks the concept of a traditional Life Alert system into high gear when you look at the array of features on the watch.
GPS Tracking
The watch comes along with a GPS tracker that helps the emergency dispatch team access your location in case of an emergency. It also comes with a 4G LTE SIM card so it stays connected and transmits the location.
The GPS tracking in the meanwhile is only available to the Bay Medical monitoring team. Bay Medical is currently working on a mobile app that allows family and friends, and caregivers to keep a track of the watch’s location.
Speaker/ Microphone on Watch
The watch also has a built-in speaker and microphone. This allows for two-way communication between the user and the trained monitoring operator.
Battery Life
The SOS Smartwatch comes with a lithium-ion battery that has a life of up to 24 hours on a single full charge. However, this number varies depending on the usage of the watch. Network strength, screen time, movement, and tracking are all factors that influence the battery life of the watch.
The smartwatch also comes with a dock-like charging station. You can simply place your watch on the stand each night for a full charge.
Auto Fall Alert
The SOS Smartwatch does not have an automatic fall detection feature. The reason for that is because after years of research, the team has found that it is not a good feature when used on wristwatches.
When auto-fall detection is included in smartwatches, it gets triggered often, setting off alarms and draining the battery. This is due to the erratic movements that the wrist and hand undergo. There aren’t any watch algorithms that are smart enough to discern between a fall and swing of the hand.
Water-Resistance
The watch is water-resistant with an IP67 rating. This rating means the watch has passed testing standards of being submerged in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.
IP67 devices typically can withstand some rain, splashes and accidental water submersion. It is not meant to be worn during swimming or when showering. If the watch is accidentally submerged in water, please take care to let it dry completely before you wear and use it again.
Fitness Tracking And Goal Setter
The watch has a gyroscope and a pedometer for accurate step counting. It also comes pre-installed with a fitness tracker to inform you of the steps covered every day.
There is also a goal-setter app for fitness enthusiasts. The app helps you keep daily goals and gives you a breakdown of your progress.
In-Home Medical Alert System (Optional)
Customers can bundle an in-home medical alert into their package. That allows for more coverage and flexibility. If you like the assurance of having a button you can always use at home (eg. bedroom and bathroom), this is an excellent add-on.
While the SOS watch is charging, you know you have access to another button to call for emergency help. An added convenience is that the in-home button is lighter in weight and highly water-resistant for use in showers.
At a bundled package price of $39.95 a month, you will get two separate systems. This is a good price point for customers. If you compare around, some companies will charge more than that for a single mobile GPS alert system.
Overall, the Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch is a worthwhile choice for senior citizens who want a mobile alert that combines great form and function. It’s a welcome addition to the medical alert community. Customers now have the choice of a mobile medical alert device in the form of a classy, well-crafted smartwatch; and for added assurance, they can optionally bundle in an in-home base console system (at a price that makes economic sense).
For additional Bay Alarm Medical mobile medical alert options, check out this review.
LifeStation also offers a similar smartwatch with a help button called the Sidekick Smart (more info).
Year-End Special Sale!: FREE Month and FREE Shipping on Select Plans + Up to 20% OFF Mobile Devices (From $49.50). Call 1-855-397-9964 or get started online.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this review, the information is supplied without warranties of any kind. We advise all readers to do careful due diligence before purchasing. Take time to visit the company’s website or speak with their representatives.
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