How Fall Detection Technology Works

Older people face many health concerns and risks specific to their age group. For example, they are often less able to tolerate extremes of heat. But one of the greatest risks they face is the risk of falling – and this is a concern that should never be ignored by an elderly person or their family.

Fortunately, there is easy-to-use technology available that can help protect seniors if a fall occurs. Personal alarms are simple devices that work to keep elderly people safe during emergencies, and the fall detection technology available in some of these alarms is designed to prevent the harms of a long lie.

How exactly does this technology function? Read on to learn all about fall detection, what it can do, and what its limitations are.

Why fall detection matters

For many reasons, seniors are more likely to trip or slip and fall. They may suffer from poor vision, muscle wasting, stiffness due to conditions like arthritis, or a wide range of other health issues. Elderly people might also fall to the floor because of a health event like a seizure, a heart attack or fainting.

But the frequency of falls is not the only thing that’s concerning for older people. The health effects that result from them are also significant.

For a younger person, a fall might be an odd event that is easily forgotten. For a senior, the consequences can be far more severe. Older people with osteoporosis may break their bones more easily. Hip fractures, in particular, are a danger for seniors who fall.

How long an elderly person lies on the floor makes a difference too. Seniors who fall and are not able to stand up again can experience a ‘long lie’ – a period of an hour or more lying on the floor. That can result in even worse health consequences like pressure sores, hypothermia and a considerable fear of mobility in the future.

There are many steps that people can take to reduce the likelihood of a fall at home. But since nothing can completely eliminate the chances of a fall, it’s also important to take action to prevent a long lie if a fall does occur. That’s where fall detection comes in.

What an alarm with fall detection is like

Alarms with fall detection can come in different forms, such as a talking pendant or a wrist alarm resembling a smart watch. What they have in common is that they can sense when the person wearing the watch has fallen down. That’s crucial in situations where the wearer has lost consciousness or has lost coordination, such as after a stroke.

When a fall is detected, the alarm will call for assistance automatically. Who it contacts is up to the user – you can buy alarms that alert a 24/7 response centre or ones that call family and friends.

With some alarms, like the SureSafe GO, the fallen person can actually speak to the response centre or their family member through the alarm. With this option, the older person who has fallen can be reassured and assisted even before someone is physically with them.

Another key feature of fall detection alarms is that they are typically shower-proof. This is essential because many falls occur in the bath or shower – where a person may not have a phone close by.

The technology of fall detection

Fall detection involves a sophisticated set of sensors. A fall detection alarm will monitor changes in air pressure, its own speed of movement, and any impact that might have been caused by a fall. An algorithm in the alarm assesses the combination of these inputs in order to determine whether a fall has occurred. If the alarm believes a fall has happened, it will call for help.

Of course, this process is not an exact science. It’s important that the alarm is not too sensitive, or else it will perceive events like sitting down as falls.

Therefore, no fall detection alarm can be 100% assured of detecting every fall – as SureSafe’s disclaimer about our alarms explains. However, they do help to reduce the dangers that can come from falls, and they also provide some peace of mind to seniors, especially those living alone.

One-touch alarms

The marginally imperfect nature of fall detection is why it can be great to get an alarm with both fall detection and one-touch SOS button technology.

A one-touch alarm features a button that you can use to call for help. What makes it special is that the user only needs to press one button to make the SOS call. The wearer may have to press and hold the button – otherwise it could trigger accidentally – but they will not need to fumble around following multiple steps in order to call for help.

When an older person is having a health emergency, saving those seconds of time can make a huge difference. A one-touch button can also be crucial in a situation where an elderly person is feeling light-headed or not able to think clearly enough to dial a mobile phone. And, unlike a mobile phone, a one-touch alarm worn as a pendant or on the wrist is always close by, even if an older person can’t get up from the floor after a fall.

In fall situations, a one-touch button can also be a great and easy way to call for help. It’s a backup for fall detection technology that, again, helps reduce the potential harms that could come from a fall.

Reducing the risks from falls with SureSafe

SureSafe is a leading provider of elderly personal alarms in the UK, so we’re experts in fall detection. Our SureSafeGO is a highly popular, customisable alarm that combines fall detection and one-touch technology. We also have great reviews and 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, showing our dedication and success in working to protect older people.

If you’re curious about fall detection or personal alarms for the elderly in general, why not get in touch with us to learn more? Our team of experts are available by phone on 0808 189 1671 and through live chat. You can also request a call back.