Apple Watch? - YouLookFab Forum

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Apple Watch?

JAileen

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I know lots of members here have Apple watches. Until today, I wasn’t interested. I have a regular old fashioned watch that I like just fine. (I do have an iphone, ipad and laptop.)

Today I heard of a local woman who fell in her backyard and lay there all night, having broken her hip. In the morning, her neighbors heard her cries. This made me rethink the Apple watch. If she had an Apple watch on, would she have been able to get help? If a tech watch could save me from an experience like that, I’d be very interested. A neighbor of the woman, told me she was my age. This hits close to home because just this week my doctor told me I need to do more exercises that are weight bearing. Apparently swimming does nothing to help my bones.

If you have an Apple watch, please let me know if one could have helped the woman, and any other advantages you value that it has over an ordinary watch.

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31 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

LJP

Veteran

I have one but no idea about that kind of function . Probably something available on a newer model than I have . What I do know though is that weight bearing exercise is the single most important thing women can do to maximize their functional fitness as they age . It’s the single biggest referral comment from doctors referring their patients to the facility I work at. To say I’m obsessed with weight training now is an understatement . Gotta be able to get up off the ground , the floor ,etc and not rely on something or someone to help you .

JAileen

Veteran

Lisa, thank you. My son is after me to do squats several times a day. I’ve ordered a weighted vest for walks. I used to walk a lot, but prefer swimming. It’s not bad, but not as good as walking and weights. I also bought some exercise bands, but I’m a little afraid of them. Our former senator was blinded in one eye using them, probably incorrectly, but still.

LJP

Veteran

Exercise bands are great for working on balance = i.e. standing banded hip adduction . They won't break unless they are really old and dried out . I think I remember hearing that story .....seemed odd but I suppose freak accidents can happen. Squats, hinges, curls and shoulder presses are key exercises and easy to do.

Sal

Veteran

I think an apple watch or smart watch could provide alerts but you might like to check the model. Some of them need the phone near by.

NancyW

Veteran

I took a balance class through my local senior center and their advice was: always have your phone with you. They also suggested practicing getting up from the floor and rolling or dragging yourself to a wall or chair in order to pull yourself upright (if possible). My phone is always in a pocket, bag or in reach whether I am home or away

RobinF

Veteran

I don't have an Apple watch, but it would be like wearing your phone so could be used to call for help.

I love the squat discussion. I am always trying to work exercise into my routines and I do squats while I brush my teeth

JAileen

Veteran

Lisa, our former senator looked so little and frail, but apparently he had been a boxer! The exercises you mention are ones our son wants me to do. I will try to add them to my exercise regime. If I had a regime!

Sal, I think that’s why I never wanted one - if the phone needs to be nearby, what’s the point? I asked my research assistant (my husband) to look into this.

Nancy, I took yoga for a year or two, and my balance really improved. When I go for a walk, I sometimes take my phone. It depends on pockets. Women’s clothes don’t always have decent pockets. I’m looking into a lanyard for it. I guess I could just put it into a simple little crossbody or maybe a waist pack.

Robin, that’s a good way to work these exercises into our lives.

kkards

Veteran

Never ever walk without your phone! Never. And never ever work outside with out it either
Sorry it does matter what your age is. Accidents and unexpected emergencies can and do happen. You can and should get a very small sling phone bag and use it if your outfit pockets are not up for the job.

Sorry- in the last couple of months a 40 something who works for me had a stroke, an personal I know mother fell outside and waited an hour for some to notice

JAileen

Veteran

Kkards, I’m thinking I should have my phone with me if I’m home alone, or walking alone (with Bob Barker). The watch seems like it could be easier, but if I need my phone anyway, then what’s the point, right? I still wonder if I don’t need my phone. If that’s true, then I'd like to get one.

Re walking: several years ago I was walking the dogs and slipped on the ice under the snow. I lay on the ground for a few moments, seeing if anything was broken. A young woman rushed out of her house to see if I was still alive. I still think of her kindness. BTW, I have no idea if I had my phone or not.

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Aquamarine

Veteran

Just last week my aunt had a random dizzy spell and fell, broke her femur, and wasn’t discovered until 12 hours later. She did not have a phone with her. She is a VERY active and healthy older woman.

JAileen

Veteran

Aquamarine, thank you for sharing. I hope your aunt is okay now. At my mother’s very nice (and pricy) retirement home, there are pull cords in the bathrooms and bedrooms for the residents if they fall. Not too long ago, a resident fell in the shower, was able to pull the cord, and no one came for 24 hours. The cord was broken. The person had to be hospitalized. And, as you can imagine, it was quite a scandal.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think you can get an Apple watch that functions as a phone. You have to have a plan for it, like you do for your phone. Could be handy for walking, if you don't want to carry a phone.

Angie has an Apple watch. Maybe she will chime in!

JAileen

Veteran

Sharan, thank you. My research assistant and I are going to the Apple store tomorrow. To add cellular to a watch costs an extra $100, and $11 per month. It seems like a good value if it could save your life.

RobinF

Veteran

I have a phone case that has a crossbody strap that can be attached. I love it for when I don't want to carry a purse but it also makes sense for just general around-the-house activities.

JAileen

Veteran

Robin, do you know the brand of your phone case, or have a link for it? My phone is a 12 mini which was discontinued. But there are sometimes accessories for it.

RobinF

Veteran

I got it from Amazon. I recently got one for a new phone and there are quite a few in different styles.

Bocasal Crossbody Wallet Case for iPhone Xr with Card Holder,Zipper Card Slot Protector Shockproof Purse Cover with Removable Cross Body Strap 6.1 Inch(Black)

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RobinF

Veteran

I think there are also some plainer ones that just have a strap without the wallet part.

JAileen

Veteran

Robin, thanks!

JAileen

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your input. My husband and I got Apple watches yesterday, with cellular capability. This morning, I left my iphone home, and called my husband on the watch from the pool, about two miles away to make sure it really works. I also ordered this case for my phone.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YAY, JAileen! Glad you and hubs are sorted. Looks great

I love my Apple Watch. Wear it daily because I enjoy how it helps me think and stay on top of things.

Runcarla

Veteran

This is a wake up call! I used to bring my phone with me when I was out training on my racing bike, but sold the bike earlier this month. No more lonesome country road training rides for me! If I plan to be working the ravine part of my garden, I make sure someone is home and knows what I’m doing. I find my iPhone heavy and often leave it sitting on the kitchen counter. ☹️ My bad. Would it be heavy enough to count as ‘weight bearing’? I’ve got a little Uniqlo half moon bag I can use. I have an altered gait, so am hyper vigilant regarding trip and fall hazards, but need to carry the phone.

Thanks for the cautionary tale, and the advice!

JAileen

Veteran

Angie, my husband likes his new watch better than the Garmin watch I had given him! I gave him the Garmin because it shows elevation, which is interesting to know in our area. But it was finicky when traveling, needing to reset with a satellite. The Apple watch has a compass with elevation, and resets easily. I’m still getting used to its size. I got the smallest one I could with the capabilities I wanted.

Carla, you probably already know that neither swimming nor bicycling are weight bearing. I was trying to figure out how much weight I should have when walking. I ordered a weighted vest that can be adjusted from 10 to 20 pounds. I hope I didn’t overdo it! We’ll see, I guess. I plan to use it on non swim days. Your Uniqlo bag sounds perfect to take your phone on a walk or when gardening. BTW, I was texting with a friend who said we were too young to fall and not get up. My SIL was 72 when she fell off her bike and broke her hip. That’s a little older than me, but not much.

cat2

Veteran

Check to make sure Fall Detection is turned On.

JAileen

Veteran

Cat2, thank you. I’ve made sure it’s turned on.

LJP

Veteran

Oh i bet you'll love your new watch! I have 2 sets of straps I switch out seasonally - my watch is black and I wear a perforated Nike black silicone one in the winter and a white silicone in the summer. It's pretty much a wear-to-work or to workout watch only. Weighted vests are awesome too! I'm excited for you I think you'll find the 10 lb option good for now. I bought my daughter one for xmas and want to try it myself .

JAileen

Veteran

Lisa, making a call on the watch is so Dick Tracy! I’m glad you think the vest is right. When I pick it up it weighs a ton, but on, it feels fine. I got the stainless steel band for my watch thinking it would be durable, but it kind of pinches the hairs on my arm, so I ordered some nylon/velcro ones. I haven’t used it for swimming yet. I tend to bang into the lane divider and I think I’ll wreck it. I’ve been using a lap counter ring which works fine.

Bijou

Veteran

I have an Apple watch and always carry my iPhone. I was involved in a car accident - a driver went through a stop sign and crashed into me at full speed. My watch picked this up and was prepared to call emergency services. It is reassuring to know that if you are unable to make the call yourself, your watch/phone will do so for you. Love your Bob-barker photo!

I was really impressed with my little VW too. 3 airbags were deployed and kept me safe despite the vehicle being a statutory write-off. My injuries were relatively minor and 4 weeks later, I am fully recovered.

JAileen

Veteran

Bijou, OMG I’m so glad you’re all right! That is fantastic about the watch, and the car, too. Years ago, long before cell phones, we were stopped at a light and a car slammed into us. They pushed us into the car in front of us. We had a VW Jetta which accordioned in the front and back. I lost one of my post earrings in the crash, and my legs were scratched up from a couple of pictures frames I had in my lap. Otherwise, we were fine.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am late here because I have been travelling but I wanted to chime in and say I've had an. Apple watch -- the very basic SE model -- for several years now and it has a VERY sensitive SOS function that will call for you if you fall. It seems to think I have fallen whenever I gesticulate too wildly or make a big chop with the pruning sheers, but you can tell it, no I did not fall, and it backs off again.

I don't care for the look of mine compared to my lovely regular watch but I do love its functionality. It counts steps, clocks various kinds of exercise, including swimming, walking, hiking, biking, and also energy expenditure and does all kinds of things I don't really use. I've made calls on it and sent texts/ emails. And I like changing out the straps. The battery life on mine is kind of awful but other than that, it has been a good purchase.

It DEFINITELY worked when I had my bike accident. A car crashed into me, I fell over, landed hard, and it SOS'd itself like crazy. I did turn it off because I had helpers there already, but had I been alone, an ambulance would have been with me pronto.

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