Fall Detector Alarm

Fall detection alarms can be an excellent addition to a traditional medical alert system, especially for people who have fallen before. Some providers also offer bundles with this service already included.

They can grant peace of mind to users, their loved ones, and medical guardians alike. A fall detector works by automatically calling for help when it detects a fall, rather than having to manually press the call button.

Detects a fall

Most medical alert systems offer a non-movement option for those who don’t need to worry about falling, but fall detection is an additional feature that will help those in danger of falls. Fall detection works by detecting a sudden change in movement or impact and then notifying an emergency monitoring center. This is great for those who take medications that make them dizzy or those with medical conditions that may lead to a fall, such as balance issues.

Having a fall detection system will give users peace of mind and will allow their loved ones to rest easy knowing that they can contact the response center quickly and easily. It can also prevent the user from feeling overwhelmed and discouraged if they’re afraid of moving around in case they might fall again, especially when they live alone or have a condition that makes them feel unsteady on their feet.

Of course, no medical alert system is perfect, so it’s possible that the fall detection will falsely activate on occasion. It’s not uncommon for the sensor to mistake fast movements, such as descending stairs or sitting up in bed, for a fall and trigger an alarm. This is why it’s important to remember to always press the button if you need help, even with a system that has automatic fall detection.

Notifies your loved ones

When a fall is detected, the device activates and sends a signal to its base unit. This sends a message to a 24/7 careline team to let them know that help is needed. The alarm may also come with two-way communication, so the person wearing the alarm can speak to a professional and ask for assistance.

Whether the user has fallen or simply pressed their SOS button, a member of the careline team will be on hand to help them. Depending on the system, this can be either friends and family or an expert response centre like SureSafe. Some systems, such as the LifeConnect24 fall detection alarm, offer GPS tracking on top of the emergency call service. This can be particularly useful if the user lives an active lifestyle and falls outside of their home or on a walk.

Some medical alert devices include a built-in fall detection sensor, while others have it available as an add-on. Man Down Alert It’s important to research different providers to find out what their system offers. It’s also worth considering a device that doesn’t require a cellular connection, as this may be cheaper for you and/or your loved one.

Calls for help

Our Fall Detector Alarm is designed to automatically1 call for help after detecting a fall, so you can get the help you need even if you can’t push your pendant or watch button. It’s called AutoAlert advanced fall detection and is available on all Bay Alarm Medical, SOS devices. The feature works by detecting sudden downward movement, followed immediately by a lack of movement.

A well-designed fall detector alarm will recognise that the sudden movements are indicative of a possible fall. It’ll also have a manual call button, which you can press in the event that you don’t feel your fall is detected. However, it is worth noting that even the best medical alert systems can issue a false alarm from time to time.

A great example is when you are moving around the home and you slip out of your chair. This will usually trigger a fall detection system to send an alert, but if you are slowly sliding out of your seat the device might not register this and may falsely activate. To limit the amount of false alarms, many fall detection systems are designed to only activate when a hard fall is detected. This means that the sudden downward movement is unique in speed and distance, which helps to prevent it from triggering for unrelated movements.

Two-way communication

With most medical alert systems, if you fall and can’t get up, a help button is pressed and a call to the monitoring center is automatically sent. Some wearable devices also have two-way communication capabilities like the Philips Lifeline Fall Detector Alarm, so you can talk to someone in the monitoring centre (or your loved ones if you have chosen a family-monitored system) through the pendant itself.

This feature is especially useful if your fall detection device fails to recognise that you’ve fallen and sends an alert instead - for example, a fall from a chair or sofa may not be picked up. Two-way communication can ensure that you or your loved one receive the help they need right away.

Some medical alert device companies include fall detection as part of their monthly fee, while others charge an extra $10 a month for it. Make sure you understand all fees, including monthly monitoring, equipment, activation and cancellation costs before signing a contract with a company.

Many medical alert device manufacturers also offer daily medication reminders, which is helpful for seniors taking multiple medications who can easily forget or take incorrect dosages. Keeping up with daily medication can reduce the risk of falls and other health problems. Some medical alert systems with fall detection have built-in GPS tracking, which can be useful if your loved one becomes unconscious or disoriented outside of the home.