Fall Detection Sensor

Fall detection sensors can help prevent the often-fatal consequences of falls in elderly individuals. These devices can automatically notify a monitoring center or loved ones when a fall is detected.

The model produced one false alarm per 46 days of use (specificity > 99.9 %), with 45 of the false events validated as stumbles.

Medical alert Precision

A fall detection system should be able to distinguish between falls and other types of movements. A fall detector can be worn on a person’s wrist, arm, or ankle and can also be installed in a home-based device. It can be a monitored or unmonitored system and can use a variety of sensors including motion sensor, Kinect, ultrasound signal/radar, microphone, pressure sensor and even changes in air and Wi-Fi signals.

A threshold-based algorithm is the most common method used to detect pre-impact falls. The sensor data is compared to the reference data and if there is a significant difference, the system will trigger the alarm.

Several different algorithms have been developed to detect pre-impact falls. To reduce the number of false alarms, some devices rely on pattern matching and machine learning techniques to identify movements associated with falls. Other systems rely on sound to identify the event and can be particularly accurate as they do not require the user to press a button or make any other unusual movement.

Urgent Response

Fall detection systems are often marketed toward older adults, but they’re a good option for anyone who might struggle to press their medical alert button after falling. This includes those with chronic illnesses that cause balance, dizziness, or vertigo.

Using accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, these devices recognize sudden changes in movement that can indicate the start of a fall. These devices then notify an emergency call center. Depending on the provider, they may contact a pre-determined list of contacts or dispatch an ambulance immediately.

Because of the sensor mechanism's sensitivity, it can occasionally misread an ordinary motion as a fall and send out an alert. However, most providers include a feature that allows users to cancel an emergency response when it isn’t needed. This is important, as it can prevent false alarms and unnecessary dispatches of emergency responders. These systems are also beneficial for people who live alone or who might not have anyone checking in on them regularly.

Two-Way Communication

A medical alert device that offers two-way communication helps ensure a person who falls isn’t left alone. If the fall detection sensor sends an alert to a 24-hour monitoring center, a loved one or emergency responder, they’ll be able to check in with the person and find out whether the alert was triggered by a real fall or a false alarm.

This is especially helpful for people who are living with memory problems, such as dementia, as it may help prevent them from wandering away or getting lost. It can also be used to remind them to take their daily medication.

Some medical alert systems that include a fall detection sensor have a mobile option that works anywhere there’s cellular coverage. Other at-home systems, like GetSafe, offer fall detection as part of an all-in-one pendant that includes voice-activated help buttons and GPS tracking technology. These are great options for people who want a more portable and lightweight system, but still need a reliable way to contact a live operator and request help if they fall.

Medication Reminders

Most medical alert systems offer a feature called automatic fall detection, which uses sensors to determine whether the wearer has fallen. If the sensor detects a sudden change of posture, for example, it could mean the person has fallen. It would then send an alert to the monitoring center, where a trained emergency response associate would contact the person to assess the situation and dispatch help if necessary.

While this technology is improving, it’s not foolproof. Depending on where the device is placed and the severity of the fall, it might not trigger an alert. Even playing with the grandkids or scrubbing the floor can cause a false alarm, and most companies include a button that the user can press if they think the system sent a false signal.

Unlike other medical alert providers, which only include fall detection with their home and mobile systems, Alert1 includes it in all of its plans at no extra cost, earning them the top spot on our best medical alert systems list. The company also offers discounted rates for spouses and roommates, which can save users $10 to $30 per month compared to buying two separate systems with fall detection.