Durcal elderly watch: a pricey alternative to Spain's public telecare?
The Durcal watch for seniors costs €25/month, but public telecare in Madrid offers the same for €0-12. We compare options and warn about reviews.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Durcal elderly watch: €25 a month or public telecare?
A son worried about his elderly father is considering buying him a smartwatch that detects falls and alerts emergency services. The Durcal model promises all of that for €25 a month, but before signing up it is worth looking at what public telecare services already offer.
Traditional telecare: cheaper and supervised
The classic pendant alarm remains the most affordable option. In many Spanish regions the service costs around €8 a month, and at Madrid City Council it can even be free or income-based, with a maximum of €12. That said, the pendant does not work outdoors: it connects to a receiver plugged into the phone line. For anyone who spends a lot of time away from home, that is its Achilles' heel.
The Durcal watch: mobility and data, but with fine print
The Durcal watch, on the other hand, has its own SIM and works anywhere. It detects falls, lets you see the user's location and vital signs from an app, and has an SOS button. All for €25 a month. The difference with the pendant is significant: €17 more a month, €204 a year. Is it worth it? It depends on how often the elderly person goes out alone.
But there is another factor: Trustpilot reviews of the Durcal are not unanimous. There are reviews advising against buying it, which suggests doing some research before signing up.
The public option: does it include a watch?
The key question is whether the municipal telecare service already includes a watch with these antiestéticatures. In Madrid, according to recent reports, the City Council also offers the watch as part of its telecare service. If so, paying €25 a month for a private product may be an avoidable extra cost. The recommendation is clear: before signing up for the Durcal, check with your local social services.
The surprising fact: Madrid City Council already offers telecare with a watch included, at a cost ranging from €0 to €12 a month depending on income. Paying €25 a month for a private watch is, in many cases, money down the drain. Of course, municipal bureaucracy is not as fast as an app.
A son worried about his elderly father is considering buying him a smartwatch that detects falls and alerts emergency services. The Durcal model promises all of that for €25 a month, but before signing up it is worth looking at what public telecare services already offer.
Traditional telecare: cheaper and supervised
The classic pendant alarm remains the most affordable option. In many Spanish regions the service costs around €8 a month, and at Madrid City Council it can even be free or income-based, with a maximum of €12. That said, the pendant does not work outdoors: it connects to a receiver plugged into the phone line. For anyone who spends a lot of time away from home, that is its Achilles' heel.
The Durcal watch: mobility and data, but with fine print
The Durcal watch, on the other hand, has its own SIM and works anywhere. It detects falls, lets you see the user's location and vital signs from an app, and has an SOS button. All for €25 a month. The difference with the pendant is significant: €17 more a month, €204 a year. Is it worth it? It depends on how often the elderly person goes out alone.
But there is another factor: Trustpilot reviews of the Durcal are not unanimous. There are reviews advising against buying it, which suggests doing some research before signing up.
The public option: does it include a watch?
The key question is whether the municipal telecare service already includes a watch with these antiestéticatures. In Madrid, according to recent reports, the City Council also offers the watch as part of its telecare service. If so, paying €25 a month for a private product may be an avoidable extra cost. The recommendation is clear: before signing up for the Durcal, check with your local social services.
The surprising fact: Madrid City Council already offers telecare with a watch included, at a cost ranging from €0 to €12 a month depending on income. Paying €25 a month for a private watch is, in many cases, money down the drain. Of course, municipal bureaucracy is not as fast as an app.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (26 replies).
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