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Fall Detection for Elderly People
Falls are a serious concern for seniors because they can be life-threatening. Each year, three million older adults are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries.

Medical Alarms AU Medical alert systems that include fall detection can help prevent these types of incidents. However, choosing the right system requires understanding how the technology works and if it has any drawbacks.
Peace of Mind

Fall detection can help alleviate the fear many elderly people have of falling. Even though a fall may be minor and leave some bruises, it can also lead to serious injuries or even death in extreme cases. This is particularly true for seniors who live alone, suffer from a medical condition that causes weakness or take medication that increases their chances of falling.

A fall detection system is programmed to detect patterns in movements that may indicate a fall. It uses sensors and a 3D accelerometer to determine whether there is an impact or motion that meets certain criteria. It also takes into account factors like speed, distance and force of the impact. Using this data, the device will then decide to trigger an alarm. Once triggered, the alarm will either connect to a 24/7 response center or contact a senior’s pre-designated support community.

Studies have found that older adults are generally more willing to accept technologies such as medical alert systems that can give them a sense of security in their homes. However, some of them can find these devices intrusive or annoying due to the number of false alarms they might experience. Therefore, it’s important to include the target users from the early stages of design so that they can provide feedback on the system.
Getting Help Quickly

Getting help quickly when you fall is critical. Many seniors who don’t get help within an hour of a fall can suffer from long-term injury and serious health problems like pneumonia, dehydration, or muscle necrosis.

Medical alert systems with fall detection are able to notify the emergency monitoring center of an in-home or on-the-go device when it detects a fall. The device may also have an easy-to-press button that you can press if you want to speak with a live person.

Many medical alert companies include this technology with their basic at-home system or offer it as an add-on to their mobile device plans. It is important to research and compare the features of different systems to ensure you’re getting the best equipment for your needs.

Some systems use sensors that evaluate the smoothness and acceleration of a person’s movements to determine whether a fall has occurred. These devices can often be worn in different ways, such as around the neck or wrist, depending on the preference of the user. However, the most accurate device for fall detection is one that can be worn closer to your body’s center of gravity. Most medical alert companies provide a disclaimer that no device can guarantee 100% fall detection accuracy.
Avoid Injury

With a fall detection system in place, an elderly person is much more likely to avoid serious injury after a fall. The device will detect the fall and then immediately call for help. This call will either connect to a medical alert monitoring service or a trusted friend and family member. In some cases, it can even alert a 911 operator.

Fall detection devices are available in many different forms, from a traditional pendant with a button to be pressed (typically found with medical alert systems) to mobile apps that work on smartphones. Some can even be integrated into existing technology like the Amazon Alexa platform for a more seamless and convenient solution.

A medical alert system with a fall detection feature can also offer the advantage of being able to cancel a false alarm if something, such as playing with the grandchildren or scrubbing the floor, accidentally sets off an alert. This means that an elderly person can continue their everyday activities without having to worry about a false alarm interrupting them and potentially injuring themselves or others.

It’s worth noting that a fall detection system is not foolproof and that elderly people are still at risk of falling. However, it can provide a great deal of peace of mind for older adults and their loved ones.
Prevent Falling Again

In addition to having a fall detection system in place, there are other things seniors can do to prevent falls. This includes exercise, making sure medications are taken correctly and keeping a medical alert bracelet or necklace on at all times (some even have a button to call for help). Having family or friends visit regularly can also be helpful to check in and make sure everything is okay.

If you have a fall detection system in place, it will immediately send an alert to the monitoring center when it detects a fall. They will then contact your emergency contacts and dispatch emergency services if necessary. Many systems will include a feature that allows you to cancel the alert if it was triggered in error or if your fall wasn’t serious.

Some seniors may dislike the extra cost that fall detection requires since it’s not usually included in a base price for medical alert systems. However, it can be an affordable and valuable option for those who want a sense of security when it comes to staying safe at home.
Homepage: https://personalmedicalalarms.com.au/