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Comment by neuralRiot | Hacker News Reader

I want to make something similar but that works via bluetooth with any phone and that can dial a pre-programmed number, it could be small enough to make it a pendant or a wristband.

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I have been looking at Arduino or esp devices coupled with a little Bluetooth module for something like this.It seams like it should be pretty easy (just beyond beginner in the subject).

This might be a starting point. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/20168

Interesting idea, but, for example in my case, the person who is not keen on learning to use a smartphone is even less keen on needing to carry two devices with them. Also in that case they'd also need to remember to charge two separate devices.

I got the idea because my mom (89yo) is pretty tech-savvy for her age and has no problem using her cellphone but she had a couple of incidents where she fell and the phone was out of reach as nobody normally carries it around the house (well I know a few exceptions to that) so the device could act as a wearable speed dial button of some sort. There are some devices like that but I believe they use their own network and subscriptions.

EDIT:Found one https://silentbeacon.com/product/panic-button-safety-beacon/ I might purchase one to test. About $59 USD sounds reasonable.

Maybe a case for the phone with the button on it. It might be able to use something like a coin cell and just be turned off until the button is pressed.

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