Fall detection is a feature on medical alert devices that can automatically call for help after a sensor determines the wearer has fallen. The device can then communicate with a monitoring center or emergency contacts, allowing family members or caregivers to see that the person is injured and needs assistance. It can be a lifesaving feature for people who live alone or don’t have someone to check in on them regularly. It can also be helpful for people who take medications that make them dizzy or who have a medical condition that increases their risk of falling.Many companies offer fall detection systems, which typically cost more than other basic medical alert devices. It’s important to find out how much the service costs before you commit to it. You can usually find this information on the company’s website or in online reviews of their service. Some medical alert systems, such as Lifeline, also charge extra fees for activation, shipping and installation. how does fall detection work AARP offers a discount on Lifeline systems, but you should be aware of all the costs involved before you sign up.You can purchase a standalone medical alert system with a fall detection feature for less than you might think. There are some standalone systems with only this feature available, and they tend to have lower monthly costs than professionally monitored devices like Lifeline. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has built-in fall detection that works with a medical alert app called MyNotifi. The device also uses GPS to allow loved ones to monitor the location of their family member or friend. This can be useful if the individual has fallen outside of their home, but is too scared or confused to speak or explain where they are.The most popular medical alert systems that have built-in fall detection use sensors to measure acceleration, planes of motion and impact to determine if a fall has occurred. Some wearable and non-wearable systems use a combination of accelerometers and gyrometers, while others incorporate a camera, a microphone or pressure sensors. The most reliable systems have published clinical trials showing that they can accurately detect falls and minimize false alarms.When choosing a device with automatic fall detection, look for one that has a good record of connecting to a monitoring center after a sensor is triggered. You may also want to consider whether it’s waterproof or not. Many falls occur in or around the bathtub, so a device that can’t work in the shower is not ideal.Some systems have a manual call button that the wearer can press if the fall detection sensor doesn’t activate, or if the person can’t reach the device because of an injury. You should also choose a device that has two-way communication, so the wearer can speak to a representative when they need assistance. The best options will also have a battery backup so they can continue to connect to the monitoring center in the event of a power outage or loss of WiFi connection.