The Apple Watch may be marketed as a device for spunky twenty-somethings who constantly run or climb mountains, but that's actually not the profile of most people who wear it. At least not at the Macworld offices. But these are fantastic devices if you want to keep an eye on your health, don't miss notifications on your iPhone, and in the case of older people, they can also be a bit of a lifesaver. If you're thinking about whether to give an Apple Watch to an older family member, here's everything you need to know.
The best Apple Watch deals are available now!
It's Black Friday week and we're already seeing plenty of deals, including these best Apple Watch deals, so now is the time to buy one.
We have even more offers, including UK offers: Apple Watch discounts on Black Friday.
Do they need an iPhone?
This may seem like a simple question, but the Apple Watch isn't all that useful if you give it to someone who has an Android phone or even a classic non-smartphone. They only work with iPhones and will likely stay that way. So, the most important first question to answer is whether the person in question has an iPhone or not. If so, great, otherwise we recommend looking for one of the alternative smartwatches on our sister site Tech Advisor. best smart watch or best fitness tracker reviews.
With this, you can set up an Apple Watch on your iPhone and then gift it to your elderly relative or friend. The iPhone is required to set up the Apple Watch and any subsequent software updates, but other than that it doesn't matter. Once your Apple Watch is set up and worn, you can use its health monitoring features to make sure it's safe. Here's a summary everything the Apple Watch can do without an iPhone. If you do this, you'll need to make sure your Apple Watch isn't sending your relative all the notifications from your iPhone.
For more information on the current lineup of Apple Watches, read our guide to the best Apple Watches. We can also help you save, read: The best Apple Watch deals this month. Also read What will be on the Apple Watch in 2025.
Why is Apple Watch good for seniors?
Health monitoring: In addition to being useful in not having to take your iPhone out of your bag or pocket when messages arrive, the Apple Watch can also be very useful in terms of monitoring the current health status of an older person. Some models are equipped ECG sensorwhich can detect a specific type of heart problem or abnormality that may indicate conditions such as atrial fibrillation. Some have SpO2 sensors for measure blood oxygen levelsagain, this can alert if the user is having difficulty, perhaps due to breathing problems.
In 2025, Apple added the ability to monitor for signs of high blood pressure on select Apple Watches, including Apple Watch Series 11, 10, and 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and 3. The hypertension detection feature came to older watches via a watchOS update. The watch does not provide specific systolic and diastolic pressure readings like traditional cuffs, but it does monitor warning signs and alert wearers to potential hypertension.
Fall detection: Still there fall detection a feature that can detect when someone has fallen and is okay—it can even alert emergency services. You can enter important medical information so that it can be displayed on your watch when needed.
Emergency SOS: And if they need it call emergency services, they can do it from your Apple Watch this is easy to do (as long as it has cellular service or a nearby iPhone for routing).
Location tracking: You can also customize Find mine to show you someone's current location and can be very useful if that person is suffering from memory problems and may wander off.
Beyond these more serious use cases, there's another simple truth: when your hearing starts to deteriorate, a notification popping up on your wrist can mean you won't miss important calls or messages.
Which Apple Watch will be the best for seniors in 2025?
As with most technology purchases, it depends on what you want and the budget you have available. We would say that unless your relative or friend is the type who enjoys canoeing in ravines, Apple Watch Ultra it will be too much. It's big, heavy and costs a fortune. So here are our picks for the current vintage:
1. Apple Watch Series 11 – Best Health Features
Price when viewing:
US$399
Best prices today:
$349.99
$349.99
$349.99
US$399
$399.99
Why Apple Watch Series 11 is great for seniors: Apple Watch Series 11 offers safety and health features that will be most useful for older adults.
The Apple Watch Series 11 has a larger display than the Apple Watch SE, with 42mm or 46mm models available, so if you don't mind a bulkier watch, you can always opt for a larger screen if you think that'll benefit you. The glass is durable and scratch-resistant, so it's durable and won't get damaged if hit.
It has all the security features you need. You'll also benefit from health features, including the ability to take an ECG, monitor your heart rate, and notify you if it's irregular and if you're potentially suffering from high blood pressure. It also has the ability to check if your blood oxygen levels are okay, as well as notify you of sleep apnea and monitor your temperature while you sleep. These features are similar to Apple Watch Ultra models (and were also available in Apple Watch Series 10 and 9), but some of them are missing from Apple Watch SE.
Like the Apple Watch SE, it will beep if you fall or have an accident, and send an emergency SOS if necessary.
The speaker means you can take calls right on your wrist. The screen is bright, with up to 2,000 nits of brightness, which means it'll be easier to read when you're outside in bright sunlight.
The double-tap gesture, which lets you answer calls and perform other functions simply by connecting your thumb and index finger, makes it easier to use your watch without directly touching the screen.
The battery life is 24 hours, which means you can probably get more than a day's use on a single charge. And with a good power adapter, charging speeds are faster than ever before, meaning you'll only need to leave it on the charger for 30 to 45 minutes a day.
Read our full
Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm) review
2. Apple Watch SE (3rd generation) – an inexpensive option.
Price when viewing:
US$249
Best prices today:
US$199.99
US$199.99
US$199.99
US$199.99
US$249
Why Apple Watch SE 3 is great for seniors: The Apple Watch SE 3 offers safety features including fall detection, can monitor your heart rate, and has a lower price, making it a great option for people on a budget.
While the Apple Watch SE 3 may not boast as many sensors as its big brother, there's still a lot to love about this less expensive model. You still get the heart rate monitoring feature, which will alert you if your heart rate is irregular.
Unfortunately, there is no ECG function to warn of irregular heart rhythms. There's also no hypertension monitoring, so it won't track warning signs of high or low blood pressure.
The watch will track your sleep and provide a sleep score. There is fall detection and collision detection. Additionally, the SE is waterproof to 50 meters, just like the Series 11.
The display is smaller than the Series 11, which could be an issue if the intended recipient has poor eyesight, but the 41mm and 44mm models still have crisp, bright panels that do a great job of conveying information (after all, the larger 44mm model beats the Series 11's 42mm screen).
GPS comes standard and you can add cellular capabilities to increase the capabilities of the watch without an iPhone (Series 11 also has this option). The chip is the S10, the same one found in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, so there's no fear that this watch will lack power or be unfuture-proof.
For many of the features older users will need, such as fall detection and emergency assistance, the Apple Watch SE 3 is a very good option, especially since it costs much less than the Series 11.
Read our full
Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm) review
3. Apple Watch Ultra 3 – the largest Apple Watch
Price when viewing:
US$799
Best prices today:
$779.99
$779.99
$779.99
US$799
Why Apple Watch Ultra 3 is great for seniors: The Apple Watch Ultra isn't really designed for seniors, unless the senior is an adventurer who feels most at home climbing mountains and scuba diving. But it has a big plus: it offers the largest screen at 49mm and larger buttons, which can be an advantage.
While it's the most expensive option, the bulky Apple Watch Ultra 3 isn't necessarily a bad idea for seniors if they don't mind wearing a larger watch.
The screen is larger and easier to read, the buttons are more visible, and the extra Action button can help get things done without fiddling with a tiny display. All Apple Watch Ultra models come with cellular capabilities (cellular service always costs extra).
It is very strong and durable, which may be suitable for those who are more accident prone. It has all the features of the Apple Watch Series 11, with even more accurate GPS tracking and satellite connectivity.
The best part is that it has a much longer battery life—you may only have to charge it every two or three days.
Read our full
Apple Watch Ultra 3 review
Wondering if you need cellular service? Read: Pros and cons of cellular Apple Watch.
