9 Chapter 9: AI Wearables for Seniors
In recent years, AI-powered wearables have revolutionized senior care by offering real-time health monitoring, fall detection, and personalized wellness insights. These devices empower older adults to live more independently while providing peace of mind to caregivers and families. This chapter explores some of the top AI wearables tailored for seniors, detailing their features, availability, costs, and FSA/HSA eligibility.
Ultrahuman Ring AIR
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Features: A lightweight smart ring that monitors sleep quality, heart rate variability (HRV), skin temperature, movement, and recovery patterns. It provides actionable insights without requiring a subscription. VeddTech+2Ultrahuman+2Flex+2SlashGear
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Price: Approximately $349. VeddTech+2Amazon+2SlashGear+2
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Availability: Available directly from Ultrahuman and on Amazon. ConsumerEcho+9Amazon+9Ultrahuman+9
FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. Purchases can be made directly using HSA/FSA cards through platforms like Sika or Flex, with no need for a Letter of Medical Necessity.
Oura Ring Gen3
Features: A discreet ring that tracks sleep stages, heart rate, body temperature, and activity levels. It offers a daily readiness score to help users manage their energy and recovery. Amazon+5Ultrahuman+5SlashGear+5Flex+3SlashGear+3VeddTech+3
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Price: Starting at $299.
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Availability: Available on the Oura website and Amazon. Amazon+2ConsumerEcho+2SlashGear+2
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. The ring and its first-year membership can be purchased using HSA/FSA funds. Subsequent memberships may require reimbursement submissions. Withings+7SlashGear+7Ultrahuman+7
Samsung Galaxy Ring
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Features: A sleek ring that monitors sleep patterns, heart rate, and activity levels. It provides an energy score to guide daily activity. Amazon+2Ultrahuman+2SlashGear+2SlashGear+1Mind Studios+1
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Price: Approximately $399.99. Flex+2Amazon+2Flex+2
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Availability: Available through Samsung and major retailers.
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. Purchases require reimbursement submissions with appropriate documentation.
KardiaMobile 6L
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Features: A portable, FDA-cleared 6-lead ECG device that detects atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and tachycardia in 30 seconds. It connects to smartphones for easy sharing with healthcare providers .Always Responsive Home Care
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Price: Device: $139.99; Optional KardiaCare membership: $99/year; KardiaCare Plus: $299/year. Always Responsive Home Care
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Availability: Available on the AliveCor website and Amazon. SlashGear+2Always Responsive Home Care+2Amazfit+2
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. While the device itself may not be covered, KardiaCare memberships are eligible for FSA/HSA funds. Withings+6Always Responsive Home Care+6Amazfit+6
Withings ScanWatch 2
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Features: A hybrid smartwatch that offers 24/7 heart rate monitoring, ECG, sleep tracking, and activity tracking. It boasts a 30-day battery life and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Amazon+3ConsumerEcho+3SlashGear+3
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Price: Approximately $249.95. ConsumerEcho
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Availability: Available on the Withings website and Amazon.
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. Purchases can be made directly using HSA/FSA funds. Flex+5Ultrahuman+5Flex+5
Embr Wave 2
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Features: A wearable bracelet that provides thermal relief by delivering warming or cooling sensations to the wrist, helping manage hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. Amazon
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Price: Approximately $239.
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Availability: Available on the Embr Labs website and Amazon.
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. Purchases can be made directly using HSA/FSA funds.
Amazfit Helio Ring
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Features: A smart ring that tracks sleep quality, heart rate, and activity levels. It provides a readiness score to guide daily activity and recovery. VeddTech+1SlashGear+1
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Price: Approximately $199.99. SlashGear
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Availability: Available on the Amazfit website .SlashGear+1Amazfit+1
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. Purchases can be made directly using HSA/FSA funds through platforms like TrueMed. Amazfit
Evie Ring
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Features: A smart ring designed specifically for women, offering menstrual cycle tracking, sleep monitoring, and activity tracking.
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Price: Approximately $269. Vibrant Aging Insider+5SlashGear+5VentureBeat+5
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Availability: Available on the Evie Ring website. SlashGear
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. Purchases can be made directly using HSA/FSA funds through platforms like Sika Health. Amazfit+3Ultrahuman+3SlashGear+3
Circular Ring Slim
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Features: A lightweight smart ring that monitors heart rate, sleep, temperature, and blood oxygen levels. It includes haptic feedback for alerts and alarms. SlashGear+3Amazon+3Amazon+3
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Price: Approximately $294. Amazon
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Availability: Available on the Circular website. Flex
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes. Requires a telehealth consultation to determine eligibility before purchase. SlashGear
Zibrio SmartScale (Balance Monitoring)
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Purpose: Assesses balance and fall risk by analyzing how a person stands.
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How It Helps Walking: Tracks stability over time, offering seniors and caregivers insight into mobility decline before a fall happens.
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Cost: ~$249
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes
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Availability: Zibrio.com
Stride Tech Medical Smart Walker Attachment
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Purpose: Attaches to standard walkers and analyzes walking patterns in real time.
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How It Helps Walking: Uses AI to monitor gait, posture, and pressure applied to the walker, and alerts caregivers of unsafe patterns.
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Cost: Varies (~$500–$700 for clinics; may be covered by Medicaid/VA for individuals)
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Likely yes, especially with a Letter of Medical Necessity (check with provider).
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Availability: stridetechmedical.com
Sensoria Smart Socks
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Purpose: Uses textile sensors to track gait, foot pressure, step count, and stride length.
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How It Helps Walking: Ideal for gait rehab, fall prevention, and monitoring walking consistency.
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Cost: ~$199 for the starter kit
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Possibly, with documentation
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Availability: sensoriahealth.com
WalkWise Smart Walker Attachment
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Purpose: Clips onto walkers and tracks use frequency, duration, and walking activity.
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How It Helps Walking: Great for caregivers to monitor activity levels and ensure mobility throughout the day.
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Cost: ~$249
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes
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Availability: walkwise.com
CarePredict Tempo
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Purpose: A wrist-worn wearable that tracks motion, walking patterns, and location.
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How It Helps Walking: Uses AI to detect deviations in walking speed, patterns, or daily routines, which can indicate fall risk or cognitive changes.
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Cost: ~$449 for the device + monthly subscription
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes
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Availability: carepredict.com
AngelSense GPS Tracker (wearable GPS + voice)
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Key Sharing Feature: Multiple caregivers can get alerts, track location, and even listen in through a secure voice feature.
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Use Case: Ideal for seniors with dementia or wandering risk.
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Cost: ~$229 + monthly plan
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FSA/HSA Eligible: Yes, often approved
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Availability: angelsense.com
AI wearables are transforming the landscape of senior care, offering tools that promote independence, monitor health, and provide timely alerts. When selecting a device, consider factors like specific health needs, ease of use, compatibility with other devices, and FSA/HSA eligibility to maximize both health benefits and cost savings.
Note: The information provided in this chapter is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions related to health monitoring or medical devices.