Using My MGMove
Upon receiving my MGMove medical alert, I unboxed it and found the following:
- 1 MGMove smartwatch
- 1 magnetic charging station
- 1 charging cord
Installation
To set up my MGMove, all I needed to do was plug in the USB adapter to a wall outlet, plug in the adapter cable and plug the cable into the back of the watch. I let the watch charge for the recommended two hours to obtain a full charge before first use.
Turning the watch on was as simple as a short hold on the top side button, after which the device sprang to action. From the home screen, I was able to swipe through the screens which included the watch face, the weather forecast, the help/emergency call screen, and the calendar alerts and reminders screen.
Note: Calendar alerts and reminders are features limited to the MGMove Step-Up features. Without this added service, you won’t be able to access it.
Testing
I performed an emergency call test which can be activated by holding the red side button for three seconds. Upon placing the emergency call, I was in touch with a Medical Guardian operator in about 30 seconds, which, while not the fastest response time in the industry, was quick enough. I talked to an operator directly through the device, and the audio was clear and easy to understand. As always, the Medical Guardian staff were friendly and responsive and were able to assess my situation (in this case, just a test) and could dispatch emergency personnel if it were required.
While the functions of the MGMove watch itself are solid, the features available through the companion app are really what set the device apart.
Configuring and Using the MGMove App
The setup for the device isn’t much more than charging it and turning it on, but there are some additional configuration steps for the companion app. The app is available for both iPhones and Androids (as well as accessible through a web browser) and is relatively easy to use. It primarily works to benefit loved ones and caregivers, giving them a window on the activity of the older adult using the watch.
I downloaded the MGMove app from the Google Play Store and then went to Medical Guardian’s website to set up my account. Once my username and password were created, I was able to log in and access the features of the app.
If you don’t subscribe to the MGMove Step-Up service for the extra $5 per month, the app is pretty pared down. The app displays the device’s battery level as well as cellular connectivity status. Instead of offering live GPS tracking, the app uses an on-demand location model, which means it pings the device’s location, triangulated through GPS and Wi-Fi assisted location services. I was able to see the device’s location in multiple Google map views, as well as open the device’s location in the Google Maps app, which enabled me to get directions to that location.
Since I was paying for the MGMove Step-Up services, I was given full access to the app’s range of features. In addition to battery status, cellular connectivity, and location, I could send and receive messages and set up calendar activities for the device.
Messaging
The messaging function on the MGMove is unique in that the person (in most cases, a loved one or caregiver) controls how the message is responded to. For example, I was able to choose between prompts of “Yes/No,” “OK,” or a request for a verbal recorded response. So in the app, I could select “Yes/No,” and enter text like, “Will you be joining for dinner?” The message is then sent to the watch with only those choices as a response, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of the communication and makes the device easier to use.
As indicated, I was also able to ask for a verbal response to questions such as, “How are you feeling today?” The message was received with a prompt to press a record button where the person wearing the watch could record a short response. That message then appeared in the app for simple playback. Overall, the messaging function made it easy to check in on the device wearer for simple communication. It might not replace the need for longer phone calls, but for quick check-ins, I found it more than adequate.
Calendar Activities
The calendar function makes it easy for loved ones and caregivers to help older adults remember key appointments, medications, and activity prompts. Anyone familiar with other calendar software should have no trouble using the system, and it provides great peace of mind knowing an older adult is getting the necessary information when they need it.
What’s great about the calendar function is its customizability. For example, I was able to set up a medication reminder to be recurring. Within the app, I set a medication reminder for each day at 11:00 am, so before lunch the watch displayed a reminder to take my medication. This calendar function also worked great for reminding the user to take a short walk and drink water.
Additionally, through the app, I was able to set up the Care Circle contacts of who would be alerted in an emergency, as well as view emergency call history. This level of control really sets MGMove apart from other medical alert systems that rely much more heavily on the alert system company to control all of the back-end functions.