The Importance of Fall Detection in Remote Elderly Care
From 2000 to 2050, the percentage of the world’s population aged over 60 is expected to double, and almost a quarter of the UK’s population is predicted to be over 65. For this reason, many companies and charities are working on developing care systems to monitor the activity of elderly people and send alerts in the case of emergencies. One aspect of this monitoring is the use of devices containing accelerometers to detect when somebody has fallen.
One such device that is popular is a waterproof wristband that can be worn by an elderly person, and function similarly to a fitness device. It records steps, monitors sleep, allows for GPS tracking and has an accelerometer to detect when the device is falling.
This sensitivity of the accelerometer can be adjusted, so that it can be used by people with more active lifestyles. When the device detects a fall, an alert is sent out to the people you want to inform. The device also has a panic button, which will contact a phone number of your choice. These kinds of devices tend to cost around £10 per month.
"Over 21,000 older adults died from fall-related injuries in the USA in 2010"
- CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)
This device offers many useful functions which all help to ensure safety for elderly people. The accelerometer is an important feature, as it can ensure that elderly people get the help they need after a fall. However, people with dementia may forget to put the device on or charge it when it is out of batteries. Additionally, some may disagree with the idea of elderly relatives being constantly monitored using GPS, despite it being necessary in some cases.
"More than 20% of people aged over 75 are afraid of falling. Of these, 5% are so fearful that they won’t leave the house unaccompanied. "
- Royal Voluntary Service
Many other devices similar to this are available, ranging from wristbands and keyrings to insoles and pendants. While many may rely on care homes to take care of relatives, the growing elderly population means that care homes will likely become heavily understaffed in the near future. For this reason, devices such as this are likely to become very important.
How it works
Send an Enquiry
Let us know what type of security system you need
We Find the Best Installer
Once we receive your enquiry, our team will find a reliable, certified security installer.
Receive Quotes
You will be contacted by a top-tier installer who will provide you with a detailed quote.
Install & Support
After selecting the right installer, they will carry out the installation, ensuring your system is fully functional.