A personal alarm watch can make everyday communication easier, particularly for those living alone and experiencing mobility challenges.
For 62-year-old Lucinda Carter from New South Wales, who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS), her mCareWatch has become a practical part of everyday life.
Lucinda has been part of the mCare Digital community since 2021 and wears her watch throughout the day. From calling family to enjoying time in her local community, she shares how wearable technology has made everyday communication a little easier.
Living independently with mobility challenges
Lucinda lives alone and receives regular assistance from a carer with activities such as cooking and cleaning.
Living with MS has affected her balance and ability to walk, so she uses a walking frame or stick to help her move around.
Despite these challenges, Lucinda enjoys getting out into the community several times a week, including playing bingo.
Having a personal alarm watch provides her with a convenient way to contact family, particularly when her mobile phone isn’t within reach.
“The mCareWatch has been great! It has given me a bit of that independence and I wear it all day.”
For Lucinda, it’s a device that fits into her existing routine, alongside the support she receives from her carer and family.
Choosing a personal alarm watch for people living alone
When Lucinda was looking for a personal alarm, her occupational therapist (OT) helped her compare different devices and consider which features would best suit her needs.
“My OT came over and we sat and looked at different things/products available. Based on all the features I needed mCareWatch was the most suitable so my OT recommended it.”
For people living alone with mobility challenges, there are several practical considerations when choosing a personal alarm watch, including:
- Ease of use: Can the wearer make contact with someone without needing to find their phone?
- Communication: Can family members or carers call directly through the device?
- Comfort: Is the watch comfortable enough to wear throughout the day?
- Battery life: How frequently does it need to be charged?
- Personal circumstances: Does the device suit the person’s mobility, support arrangements and everyday activities?
These are some of the considerations that helped Lucinda and her occupational therapist identify a suitable option.
How Lucinda uses her mCareWatch every day
While personal alarm watches are designed to provide access to assistance in an emergency, Lucinda particularly values the communication features she uses regularly.
One of her favourite features is being able to make calls directly from her watch, without needing to find her mobile phone.
“The mCare Watch has made a difference in that if I have a problem finding my mobile phone I can just call from my watch and know where it is.”
She also appreciates being able to receive calls from family through the watch’s auto-answer feature.
“It also helps in that I can just call my family from my watch and it also makes it easier with the auto answer feature as people can call me directly and I don’t have to worry about pressing any buttons — I can just speak to them!”
For someone who experiences difficulties with balance and walking, having communication available directly from a wearable device can make a meaningful difference to everyday convenience.
A personal alarm watch that’s comfortable to wear
Comfort and battery life are also important to Lucinda.
She wears her mCareWatch throughout the day and appreciates that it looks and feels like an everyday watch.
“I am happy with this model as it is more comfortable, bit more fashionable — it actually looks like a woman’s watch.”
Lucinda also reports that her watch lasts around three days between charges, based on her personal usage.
“I think my favourite feature would be that I don’t need to charge the mCareWatch all the time. It lasts three days and I put it on to charge before I go to bed.”
For Lucinda, these practical features have helped make her mCareWatch a regular part of her day.
How can a personal alarm watch help with mobility challenges?
A personal alarm watch can provide a convenient way for someone living alone to contact family, carers or emergency assistance, depending on the device’s features and how it is configured.
For people with mobility challenges, wearable technology can be particularly useful because it remains accessible without needing to reach for a mobile phone.
Some personal alarm watches include features such as SOS activation, two-way calling, GPS location and automatic call answering.
The right device will depend on the individual’s circumstances, including their mobility, living arrangements and existing support network.
Lucinda’s experience shows how everyday communication features can be just as valuable as emergency assistance capabilities.
Five years with mCare Digital
Lucinda has been using mCare Digital technology since 2021 and continues to recommend her experience to others.
“I highly recommend the mCare Watch to others and I’ve had no problems with it.”
Her story is a reminder that personal safety technology can play a practical role in everyday life, particularly for people who live alone and experience mobility challenges.
At mCare Digital, we work with individuals, families, carers and allied health professionals to help identify personal alarm solutions suited to different needs.
Looking for a personal alarm watch for someone living alone?
Explore our range of mCareWatch personal emergency alarms and discover the features available to support everyday communication and access to assistance.