Other iPhone and Watch for elderly relative

[jerryk]

We have an elderly relative that sometimes losses their balance and has other health issues. They currently wear a pendent they can press to call for help. I know an iPhone can do this, but they don't want to carry their phone all the time. Can the iPhone with a watch work if they only have the watch on and the phone is elsewhere in the home? Also, what is the minimal iPhone you can get with these features?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yes , wearing the watch by itself will work. I would look into getting the SE 2 watch and phone.

 

[baxlobs]

We have an elderly relative that sometimes losses their balance and has other health issues. They currently wear a pendent they can press to call for help. I know an iPhone can do this, but they don't want to carry their phone all the time. Can the iPhone with a watch work if they only have the watch on and the phone is elsewhere in the home? Also, what is the minimal iPhone you can get with these features?

I don’t know your location, but it may be that your relative could get a wrist worn device instead of the pendant with the same function. Could be an easier solution?

 

[MisterSavage]

100% yes. The watch will be using the same WiFi network at home as the iPhone. I never carry around my iPhone at home. It's all watch and iPad.

When I'm at work (no WiFi) I can still get surprisingly far from my phone and my watch still communicates with it via BlueTooth.

 

[swandy]

We have an elderly relative that sometimes losses their balance and has other health issues. They currently wear a pendent they can press to call for help. I know an iPhone can do this, but they don't want to carry their phone all the time. Can the iPhone with a watch work if they only have the watch on and the phone is elsewhere in the home? Also, what is the minimal iPhone you can get with these features?

I am not sure how old your "elderly relative" is (I just passed 70) and I fell in my driveway wearing my Apple Watch (my iPhone was in my house) and it called an ambulance when I did not respond. My neighbor - who is a retired EMT - was cleaning my face (hit my head) and trying to get me to respond when he called my wife to call 911 because I was not responsive enough in his opinion. The ambulance showed up while he was dialing. He was surprised when they stopped in front of my home and the drive said it was the Apple Watch that called. Great device.

 

[jetsam]

Also, what is the minimal iPhone you can get with these features?

"Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch SE require an iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16 or later."