Nowadays, most traditional medical alert monitoring systems rely on a pendant or button that your loved one must press in order to call for help. These systems are highly effective and save lives every day.

Some seniors, though, are at a higher risk of falling than others. There is the possibility that when your loved one falls but is unable to press their medical alert button to call for help. This is where Automatic Fall Detection comes out.

Automatic Fall Detection technology is a newcomer to the medical alert monitoring industry with some controversy since they can’t detect 100% of all falls.

According to our marketing experience, we selected the most frequently questions in regards to medical alert devices with fall detection here.

1. WHAT IS AUTOMATIC FALL DETECTION AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Automatic fall detection, or Automated Fall Detection, is typically built into the medical alert pendant that may also be clamped on your waist, depending on your needs. They can be worn while relaxing on the couch or even sleeping.

These systems feature detection sensors (multiple accelerometer and processors) that can detect between normal activity, and an actual fall. By continuously measuring the speed of movements in all directions, the fall detector can compare what it senses to what it considers an actual fall.

You and your kids probably use accelerometer every day without even knowing it. If you have an iPhone (or other smart phone), you’ll notice that your screen changes when you turn your phone sideways. Or when your child uses a Wii gaming system remote control to swing a bat or throw a ball in a game, accelerometer is involved in tracking their movement and displaying their results in the game.

Since fall alert detectors can sense what position they are in, how fast they are moving, and how they are moving (smoothly or abruptly) 80% of users experience no false fall detection per month while 90% of users experience one or fewer false detection per month. This is according to a Medical Guardian technical bulletin.

2. HOW DOES AUTOMATIC FALL DETECTION BENEFIT SENIORS?

The benefits of automatic fall detection to seniors can be great. Considering that one-third of adults over 65 fall down each year, fall related injuries happens frequently. Also, if you or your loved one has diabetes, low blood glucose or other condition that increases your risk of falling, this feature might provide you with additional peace of mind.

If your loved one suffers an injury or becomes unconscious from a fall and they are alone, their chance of getting help fast is increased significantly by automatic fall detection technology.

3. DOES MY LOVED ONE REALLY NEED AUTOMATIC FALL DETECTION?

A. Have you or other families ever witnessed your loved one fall?

B. Do they live alone, or are their spouse still alive?

C. Are they beginning to “shuffle” their feet rather than take complete steps?

D. Are there trip hazards around the home like throw rugs, areas where the floor is uneven, or rooms that have different floor types like carpet, ceramic tile, vinyl, or hardwood floors?

E. Are there different floor types in each room which create a “threshold” trip hazard?

F. Do they have to use stairs to get around in their home?

G. Does your loved one need to step into a bathtub to use the shower?

H. Do your aging parents think they can still do just about anything on their own, and you have worries every time you see them doing it?

I. Does your elderly loved one have a medical condition such as diabetes that is prone to fainting spells?

Answering these questions may help you decide whether you or your loved one should seriously consider a device with automatic fall detection features.

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