Fall Detection for Elderly

Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and hospitalization for seniors. In the US alone, about 1 in 3 people over 65 falls each year.





Detecting falls for elderly is a critical issue that requires careful research and development to address. Fall detection systems can be installed in the home or in the office to alert response centers and monitoring teams of an erratic movement that is indicative of a fall.

Some devices can also use changes in barometric pressure to determine if someone is falling. But according to Fritzi Gros-Daillon, director of education and advocacy at Age Safe America, a nonprofit organization that promotes the safety, security and longevity of older adults who choose to age in place, these devices aren’t guaranteed to be 100% accurate.

In addition, a fall detector needs to be easy to use. This means that a senior should be able to report a fall easily and connect quickly with an agent who can facilitate an emergency response.

A fall detection device can be integrated into a medical alert system that offers a range of additional features. These features can include the ability to receive calls, check in with caregivers, and call for help with the sound of a voice message.

A study comparing residential communities that used a fall detection device to those without one found that residents in the community with a device had fewer falls and fewer incidents of hospitalization. They also had a higher rate of resident retention.