A complete system can be assembled for $300 to $400 from retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. Budget-conscious families might opt for a single fitness watch to be shared when needed, with other components like the smart scale, blood pressure cuff, and thermometer shared by everyone.

Here are the components you should consider assembling along with product suggestions. Note that we are not affiliated with any product mentioned here.
 

• Fitness Watch: Choose a fitness watch that fits your budget but offers essential readings. Ideally, look for a watch that covers heart rate, activity levels, sleep patterns, and if possible, blood oxygen levels. Well-regarded options under $400 include:

Garmin Forerunner 245: Offers heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation, sleep tracking, and activity levels.

Apple Watch SE: Features heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen levels, sleep tracking, and built-in ECG.

Fitbit Versa 3: Tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep patterns, and activities, with built-in GPS.

 

• Smart Scale: Invest in a smart scale that measures weight and body composition and can integrate with the app used by your fitness watch. The Withings Body+ is a versatile option that measures weight, body fat, water percentage, muscle, and bone mass, and syncs with various health apps.

 

• Bluetooth Thermometer: Choose between an under-tongue model or an ear thermometer, depending on preference and budget. The Kinsa QuickCare Smart Thermometer is an affordable option that offers accurate readings and syncs data with a smartphone app.

 

• Blood Pressure Reader: Select a Bluetooth-compatible blood pressure cuff that integrates with your health app. The QardioArm Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor is a good choice, offering reliable readings and easy data syncing with health tracking apps.

 

• Nice to have but may not be necessary: 
   

Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter: Devices like the Wellue O2Ring Oxygen Monitor can continuously track blood oxygen levels and heart rate, providing additional valuable data.

Bluetooth Glucometer: For those managing diabetes, a device like the iHealth Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System can track blood glucose levels and sync data to health apps.

 

• Explore apps: Make sure that you can connect all your devices into one cohesive system and ensure the app can generate and share comprehensive reports.. Here are some suggestions: 

Apple Health (iOS): Aggregates data from various devices, offers health records, and allows PDF report generation.

Google Fit (Android and iOS): Consolidates data from multiple sources, offering a comprehensive view of health metrics and data export options.

MyFitnessPal (Android and iOS): Tracks diet, exercise, and health metrics, and supports data export for sharing with healthcare providers.

 

Note: If using a single fitness watch for multiple people, remember to adjust the basic parameters (e.g., sex, height , weight) for each user and keep track of usage days.

 

• Trial Run: Before monitoring the person needing care, conduct a trial run with a healthy family member for a week to familiarize yourself with the devices and data interpretation. This step helps ensure the system is set up correctly and you are comfortable using it.

 

• Consultation with Healthcare Provider: Once you have your home care monitoring system in place, consult with your healthcare provider to determine which data they find most valuable. It might include specific metrics like heart rate variability, blood pressure trends, or blood oxygen levels.

In our previous article, we mentioned that AI and chat assistants could play a crucial role in helping caregivers interpret fitness device reports for those with health issues. AI-powered tools can analyze the collected data to identify trends and anomalies, providing real-time insights and recommendations. 

 

Think of it . . . caregivers can ask an AI assistant specific questions about the data, such as "What was the average heart rate this week?" or "Were there any significant changes in blood pressure?" The AI can then generate understandable reports and offer tailored advice based on current health concerns, such as abnormal heart rates, irregular sleep patterns, or significant changes in blood pressure. This integration enhances understanding and facilitates more informed decision-making, ensuring caregivers can swiftly address potential health issues.
 

By assembling this DIY home healthcare monitoring system, you can provide comprehensive care data to healthcare professionals, facilitating better communication and more informed medical decisions. This approach can help improve the health and well-being of your loved ones, offering peace of mind and more effective home healthcare.

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Upcoming blogs . . .

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Next week we will discuss how to use a smart scale to determine whether you might be incrementally gaining weight, with no end in sight.
 

I post every Sunday. Feel free to contact me with questions at Karen@Littleviews.com.

​By Karen Little, August  18, 2024​​