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Apple Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy 4 Watches

Remote Monitoring allows for the collection of supplemental health information which can be used to update the Care Plan. The information is accessed and analyzed by our medical team during personal visits. Alternately, the patient (or caregiver) can check their own measurements and report any concerns.

Feel better and rest assured in the comfort of your own home. Today’s hospice care now takes advantage of tomorrow’s technology. While many different technologies exist for monitoring patients at home, nothing compares to the sophistication and quality of the monitoring abilities of the Apple Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy 4 Watches [both released at the end of 2021] now available to eligible Supportive Hospice Care patients.

The physicians and nurses at Supportive Hospice Care utilize the smartwatches to provide supplemental information on each of their patient’s health. This information, coupled with personal visits and traditional care, allows our medical professionals to create and update individualized Care Plans.

And some of the benefits extend beyond medical needs. Patients appreciate wearing the Apple or Samsung Watch as much for their health reassurance and setting medication reminders as also for making phone calls. (Most of which can be done by voice commands). The waterproof Watch is connected via Wi-Fi at home or a personal smartphone when on the go allowing users to maintain routine activities such as family visits, appointments, or grocery shopping.

The Apple Series 7 Watch can be worn for up to 18 hours before a 2-hour recharging is necessary. The Samsung Galaxy 4 Watch can be worn for up to 40 hours before a 5-hour recharging is necessary.

Your activity level is a major indicator of overall health. Even if you are homebound, the Apple Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy 4 Watches can measure the number of steps taken each day (even if only a few). For individuals who remain more active, the Watches can also identify subtle declines in activity level early, so that our medical team can make adjustments in your Care Plan.

Both Watches are waterproof and can be worn during a shower or even swimming. The watch is connected via Wi-Fi at home or the cellular service of a personal smartphone when on the go. For those who are not homebound and have a personal smartphone, the Watch can keep you connected essentially anywhere you go (where a cellular signal is available).

Everyone knows the health benefits of a sound sleep. We value quality sleep time for all of our patients. A good night's sleep makes for a great day, when you're rested. Not so great, when you’re not. The Apple Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy 4 Watches allow your medical team to monitor your sleep patterns in order to adjust your medications or improve your sleep environment.

The smartwatches don't just track your sleep; they also help you create a schedule and a bedtime routine so you can meet your sleep goals. It even tracks your respiratory rate while you’re sleeping. 

Falls happen more frequently near the end of life and can lead to serious injury or hospitalization. Unfortunately, falls do happen even when fall prevention measures have been put in place.

Supportive Hospice Care completes a Fall Risk Assessment for all patients at admission, and The Apple Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy 4 Watches can keep us abreast of incidents sooner.

Although a smartwatch cannot prevent a fall, it can detect one and notify family, caregivers, and our medical team if (and when) a fall does occur. If you are alone, The Watch’s Personal Voice Assistant can help you call 911 call using just your voice.

After a fall, our medical team will check for injuries then reassess your Care Plan and make any adjustments in your environment that may reduce the risk of a subsequent fall. Fall risk can be reduced, but, according to well-documented medical literature, not eliminated. 

The remarkable Apple Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy 4 Watches can also complete a single-lead Electrocardiogram (EKG) in just 30 seconds. (Although, a heart attack confirmation requires a 12-lead EKG.) The EKG provided by the Watch can quickly detect rhythm abnormalities that include Atrial Fibrillation, Tachycardia, and Bradycardia. This can spare patients a time-consuming trip to the Emergency Room or a doctor's office for routine check-ins.

At the end of life, shortness of breath and respiratory problems also become a more frequent concern. Having this measurement readily at hand helps medical professionals spot significant changes or patterns in respiratory health.

Whether individuals require supplemental oxygen or can do without, the measure of your blood oxygen at any time provides valuable data.  The medical team at Supportive Hospice Care can offer interventions to improve your respiratory health and/or quickly make adjustments to the supplemental oxygen prescribed.

In addition, the Apple and Samsung Watches can measure your blood oxygen level (Pulse Oximetry) within 15 seconds. You can perform this check yourself at any time and communicate your concerns to your nurse.

Both Apple and Samsung's Personal Voice Assistants respond to your voice commands to help you to make phone calls, schedule calendar appointments, write emails, send text messages, and set reminder alarms. You can also ask to hear the latest news, weather, sports, or simple things like today’s date, or even internet-searchable queries such as "How often should I water my orchids?" 

Personal Voice Assistants allow even those with a physical disability to use their voice to request or send information. Similarly, those who are unable to speak can easily request assistance through Nurse Call Light app with the touch of a button.

Remembering when to take the next prescription dose can sometimes be cumbersome. Medication errors in dosage and frequency often cause health complications. For example, forgetting that you already took a blood pressure medicine and then taking a second (duplicate) dose can lead to an unintended hospitalization. Setting reminders and using a pill organizer can help reduce medication errors committed by a forgetful patient.

Supportive Hospice Care physicians provide our patients with a written list of their medication regimen. Our nurses can help organize the medications for convenience of use.