Seniors and the elderly generally don’t like the idea of smartphones.
This, fortunately, is understandable: the average smartphone today is plagued with a ton of bloatware, apps, and notifications that keeping up can be extremely overwhelming, especially if you aren’t young anymore or would rather dedicate your time to something better.
Sometimes too, all you’ll rather have on a smartphone are the apps that truly matter to you as a senior citizen: your messaging apps, the video apps to communicate with your loved ones, and maybe, a reminder app to nudge you when it’s time to take your medications.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always as easy as that; some of the most annoying apps today come standard on smartphones and cannot be uninstalled, hard as you try as an average user.
This makes it truly frustrating for seniors and the elderly who are interested in keeping tabs on their health but will rather achieve this without the challenges of using a traditional smartphone.
This is where the best activity trackers for seniors and the elderly come in.
However, what if you (or a loved one) prefer the Fitbit brand and would have nothing to do with other models so far as health tracking is concerned?
This is where this article comes in and brilliantly delivers. First things first, however: how does a Fitbit work accurately, serving your health needs without the need for an actual connection to a smartphone?
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How Does A Fitbit Tracker Work Without An Actual Connection To A Smartphone?
Fitbits are great pieces of tech, used to track health metrics, especially as one gets older.
As a matter of fact, Fitbit as a company is one of the most trusted when it comes to this reality and options abound from the company meant to serve every tracking need from tech suitable for kids right to devices that are perfect for the elderly and aged (thanks, Google).
The company has the persona and presence Tesla has when electric vehicles are mentioned or Mercedes when everyday sport sedans are in focus.
So, how is it that some Fitbit models require the use of smartphones to work perfectly and others do not?
The reason is simple, actually: the presence or absence of a Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver Chip – the chip that needs to sync up with the over 30+ navigational satellites orbiting the earth (when powered) in order to ‘listen’ into the signals these satellites are always emitting together with some strategically positioned ground stations.
In summary (and less technical language), Fitbits that have built-in GPS receivers are able to tell exactly where in the world you are and also, are able to figure out other technical bits like how fast (or slow) you may be moving while others without this all-important chip need to rely on smartphones, paired up to them and sync up that data from the smartphone’s inbuilt GPS receivers.
But, here’s the problem: to achieve this connection and ensure this syncing, models that do not have inbuilt GPS receivers on their own must rely on radioactive connections like Bluetooth (mostly) in order to function and perform as intended.
This in turn exposes your body’s cells to 24/7 radioactive waves which are not exactly friendly to your body’s cells, especially after a given age.
So, to achieve lesser radiation and keep the smartphone at home (or away from your person), here are the 4 Fitbit models with built-in GPS chips for seniors and the elderly that will allow you to leave your smartphone behind or put better: do not need to pair with your smartphone to function as intended.
4 Fitbit For Seniors Without Smartphones That Will Allow You Leave Your Phone Behind
Carefully outlined and reviewed below are the Fitbit models, best for seniors and the elderly that do not require a smartphone to do their thing.
The activity trackers are rated from the options we have carefully considered and adjudged to be the very best. Their positions on this list here reflect our sentiments.
1. Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness And Activity Tracker
Many companies, over time, improve on their original offers; tune same in and actively see to it that the resulting products are well better than what the original piece looked (and felt) like.
Features are added, improvements are made and options that are not likely to serve or those just adding ‘dead weight’ to the product are removed.
Fitbit is one such company and the Fitbit Charge 4 Fitness And Activity Tracker reflects this reality; an awesome improvement from the original Fitbit Charge, to Fitbit Charge 2 right down to the present moment.
The improvements through the years and movement from one generation to the other also show clearly: this unit is sleekier, looks better (at least, to us), and overall, presents an option that one can clearly see has come a long way through the generations immediately one removes it from the packaging.
Once use commences, this position is brilliantly validated and the experience the company has gained through the years and previous generations of this fitness tracker is clear for all to see.
Designed with all the metrics that are important to seniors and the elderly, the Fitbit Charge 4 comes standard with all the bells and whistles, irrespective of what you’re looking up to or what your individual taste or inclinations to a tracker are.
For instance, if you’re interested in making certain that you’re sleeping right and your heart is still doing its thing (as it should), you’ll find the sleep monitor an interesting feature that will be hard to go a day without.
If you’re a super active senior or elderly person, you’ll be pleased to find that the tracker comes standard with dedicated programs for tracking activities that fall within this spectrum.
Here, you’ll be pleased to find out that there are 20+ goal-based programs to guide you into achieving your objective in a brilliant and super easy manner.
Interested in only making certain that your temperature remains in check and doesn’t spike without your notice? You’re also covered.
An adventurous senior who is interested in technology and has made it a passion to stick to all things tech? No worries.
Want something that is as simple and as straightforward to use without unnecessary stress or drama? You’re covered.
No matter which angle you approach, the Fitbit Charge 4 presents itself and serves in a brilliant manner. You should check it out and see what we mean.
What We Love About The Fitbit Charge 4
- A built-in GPS tracker makes the need for pairing the tracker to a smartphone redundant.
- An impressive array of options makes the unit truly versatile and suited for an impressive array of users and use cases.
- Two band sizes are included making certain that irrespective of the side of the wrist size you’re on, you’d have something to fit and serve awesomely while at it.
- A super impressive battery life that is capable of going for up to 7 whole days when the in-built GPS function isn’t put to use.
- An excellent ability to pair with the Fitbit app via your phone to offer more impressive features should you elect to go this way. While the unit can be selectively ‘dumb’ if you wish it to be, it can also be ‘ultra smart’ at the touch of a button if that is what you desire.
What We Don’t Like About The Fitbit Charge 4
- The price isn’t the most friendly on the market. There are many less ‘premium’ options that could be got for less than the amount this unit retails.
- Because the Charge 4 is designed in such a manner that it can work with or without a smartphone, the syncing of this unit with a smartphone may be an issue for seniors who are not versed in the fine details of smartphone operation and general use.
The Fitbit Charge 4 is a fine activity tracker that is perfect for seniors and the elderly. It is also a fine piece of technology and an incredibly beautiful piece of art if such things are important to you.
The cons are minor and aren’t deal breakers. You should take a look for yourself on Amazon directly.
2. Fitbit Sense Advanced Smart Watch
There is something about aging and the process of becoming older that the younger generation will never understand even in a thousand lifetimes (as youngsters, at least).
As your body ages and your mind matures into deep wisdom and powerful introspection, you tend to value less most of the things that others (read: younger folks) think are important. Things such as technology, find a way to repel you unless they first find a way to resonate with your very own spirit.
To achieve that, such a piece of tech must evoke memories from your own time or at least, pretend at being classic in a manner that passes the test of common sense.
This is usually hard; but devices and units that manage to pass this test, are instantly allotted a special place in your heart and it is from here that an attachment/bond to a product/brand (many would term this ‘old school’) begins to form and ultimately, develops.
These feelings usually take time to crystallize and perfect. However, when they do, even you, usually have no idea how you became so attached to a piece of tech that you could hardly even see eye to eye with, some years back.
Now, if such an awesome ‘marriage’ means marrying the classic to the present and taking advantage of tech garnished with health in the mix, why shouldn’t you be excited?
This is exactly what Fitbit did (and achieved) with The Fitbit Sense Advanced Smart Watch – a classic retro-styled activity watch doused with tech and health benefits in an old but interesting manner fashion/style.
Designed with a philosophy that seniors and the elderly don’t get to miss ‘the good old days’, the watch smartly incorporates modern tech in such a fashion that makes it one of the smartest on the market, all without having to stress you, the buyer, or user especially if you happen to be a senior or an elderly user.
As a testament to this, the activity watch ships in as a bundle, a bundle which factors all that a user who does not need to be bothered further after the purchase might need. A charging stand, additional straps (depending on wrist size – so you never worry about sizing), right up to very minute detail like a cleaning cloth to make things easy, nice, and clean.
However, the most amazing part of the tracker that we found particularly amazing and extraordinarily rare remains the fact that while it lends itself to use without a dedicated app or need for either a computer or smartphone, it can be incredibly powerful and useful if you want to pair things up and go ‘full tech’ as a senior.
For example, if you’re on an outdoor run or in the pool exercising and desire to keep track of your progress and how well you’re doing in relation to your set goals, the GPS sensor, inbuilt into the watch will provide invaluable and utmostly satisfying help.
However, if you’re interested in going more than that, then, the app and premium access provide much more.
From a reality of receiving insights on your sleep, exercise, and heart rate variability right to understanding how your body is responding to stress (and the unique ability to offer you guidance on how best to overcome the challenges your body is thrown at), nothing is left unattended.
For seniors and the elderly who are interested in meditation and calm generally, this is a treasure trove. There are very few competitors that have these many options for the aged, designed in such a manner that their use and operations come as naturally as this.
There is little to hate in the Fitbit Sense Advanced Smart Watch. The watch is truly a model with ‘sense’ and there have never been any arguments about the fact that it is also advanced and offers many advanced features (for those who are interested in going the extra mile).
What We Love About The Fitbit Sense Advanced Smart Watch
- A retro look that blends with the years of yore while actually being next gen – in a good, exciting, and practical manner.
- An inbuilt GPS sensor that makes it easy and practical to leave your smartphone behind – if you choose.
- A plethora of functions and abilities make the watch truly ‘smart’ without overwhelming users.
- The dedicated app and ability to connect to a traditional computer for an even greater functions span is a real joy.
- The watch comes as a complete kit. Nothing is left out (to be bought separately).
What We Don’t Like About The Fitbit Sense Advanced Smart Watch
- The price of the watch isn’t exactly cheap. A couple dollars off the price tag shouldn’t do any harm 🙂
- You cannot make calls on the watch, directly.
The retrograde styling this smartwatch embraces is something you’ll love as an elderly person.
If you’re buying the same for someone who is over a certain age, you’ll be pleased to know that they’ll find the watch especially gratifying since it possesses a clean mix of both the new and the old worlds.
Nothing beats this, especially for a watch meant for this age demographic. You should check out the Fitbit Sense Advanced Smart Watch on Amazon here and see for yourself.
3. Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch
We’ve all met the elderly lady who still has the utmost elegance to her life – catching up with the trends of the time and changing her wardrobe in a manner consistent with the vogue and even doing so better than the younger ladies!
We’ve also all met the perfect elderly gentleman who is impeccable in both his style and manners. The type of gentleman to properly knot his tie, get matching cuff links, tuck in his well-ironed shirt, and ensure that his shoes are polished in such a manner that they actually shine in the sun!
These elderly persons have a way of giving us all joy: they make us remember that the aging process is a beautiful one and importantly, there’s nothing stopping anyone from enjoying the process to the maximum – even if the head is bald or the hair, is silver-colored.
There’s a little problem, however: many of such elderly ladies and gentlemen have challenges getting options that reflect who they are and also, double as stylish (while at it). The process is even aggravated when things like fitness trackers are factored in or considered.
The options are, to a large extent, limited.
Enters the Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch.
Designed in a stylish, yet subtle and reserved manner, this fitness tracker could aptly be termed the ‘Lexus’ of the fitness tracker world. It is luxurious and comes with all the bells and whistles but is very reserved in its overall rendering.
If you don’t know what someone who has it on the wrist is wearing, there’s no way you’d fathom that it even has such abilities as fitness tracking and is powered by its very own GPS chip.
However, that, in itself, is only the tip of the iceberg: the fitness tracker is further powered by its own GPS chip and can perform major functions without the aid of a smartphone or the need to connect to an external device.
With speakers, a heart rate monitor, and a step counter that features prominently on the screen while encouraging you to walk more in order to keep fit, there is absolutely everything to love about this fitness tracker.
When you take into special cognizance that the piece itself is a beautiful one and a sight to behold for those who value things smart and bright, then, you’ll appreciate just how beautiful an ‘ordinary’ fitness tracker (perfect for the elderly) could be.
What We Love About The Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch
- An elegant look that combines a fashionable look with a functional reality.
- Standalone GPS capability ensures seniors and the elderly don’t need a smartphone to utilize the full power of this fitness tracker.
- An impressive battery life that sees to it that you won’t need to charge the unit every day.
- Prioritization of what truly matters: heart rate and steps walked for the day can easily be looked at, at a glance.
- Standard SpO2 monitor. This is made possible by means of infrared sensors and it monitors the oxygen levels in your blood. A drop might mean an impending health challenge. This function lets you stay on top of your health by alerting you on time.
What We Don’t Like About The Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch
- The fitness tracker is pricey.
- If you’re always fond of the outdoors or intend to take the tracker for a swim, there are better options suited for such uses.
Style is something that never ages, neither is the elegance that goes with it. If this GPS-powered smart-watch excites you (as it should), take a look at what it offers in full on Amazon here.
Wrap Up
As you age and grow older, some things become necessary. One such thing is a fitness watch or smartwatch.
Granted, you may waive it aside (as youths and younger persons do), but the gains far outweigh whatever it is that you believe not buying one will help you achieve.
As with all things for seniors and the elderly, the challenge of this tracker remains that, getting the ideal model that will suit your particular circumstances in life is the real challenge, not the fact that you need a smartwatch per se.
To make your task easier, here’s a smart summary. It will help you decide for yourself or if you’re looking in for a loved one, help make the process faster and seamless.
- If you’re already into the Fitbit culture and will appreciate a tracker that will handle everything from your waking moment right through sleep and back, The Fitbit Charge 4 is what you should consider.
- If you’re looking for a ‘classic’ – model that reminds you of the good old days, then, the Fitbit Sense Advanced Smart Watch is what you should be looking at.
- Finally, if you’re a super stylish senior and still have your sense of fashion in top gear (or are looking in for a senior who fits this description), then, few options beat the Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch.
Good luck.