Editing Buying a Fall Detector for Elderly People

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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />How Accurate Is It?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Does it Need a Landline?<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />