Every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in emergency rooms for a fall-related injury. Falls can lead to fractured hips and traumatic brain injuries.If you’re concerned about a loved one falling and needing help, an automatic fall detector may be just the thing for you. This technology can detect a sudden downward movement followed by no movement and automatically place a call for help.Medical Alert offers fall detection as an add-on for an extra $10 per month on their In-Home or GPS Help plans. Their plans come with a free fall detection pendant and a two-year battery life, so you won’t need to worry about charging it.Depending on your budget, you can choose from several medical alert companies that offer automatic fall detection in addition to their regular monitoring services. However, it’s important to know a few things before you buy a system.How Accurate Is It?A fall detection device needs to be sensitive enough to trigger a call when you have fallen, but not so sensitive that it catches false alarms. It should be simple to use and connect quickly with a representative who can facilitate an emergency response.Does it Need a Landline?A good medical alert company will let you test their fall detection system for free. Often, they’ll also give you a 30-day trial period with no contract.Before you sign up, ask about their equipment fees (e.g., equipment shipping, installation, lockbox fees) and monthly cost. Then, consider whether you want a monitored or unmonitored system. If you opt for a monitored system, you’ll pay a monthly fee for live operators to assess your situation.