Falls Detector

Falls are not an inevitable result of ageing, but the risk of falls increases with age. Telecare services provide emergency alarms with response units in the event of a fall, and you are unable to get up from the floor. There are different alarms, such as pendant alarms and fall detector bracelets, which will alert a central call centre who will then try and establish contact with you or alert a nominated individual.   

These include  

• Pendant alarms - a waterproof wearable which includes a button which can be pressed to alert the call centre.  
• Falls Bracelet – a lightweight detector worn on the wrist 
• GPS “watch” - a lightweight wearable device which provides the location or, and communication with, the wearer 

The falls detector will also automatically send an alert if the impact of a fall is detected (dependent upon the type of fall being experienced). A falls detector is worn on the wrist and comprises of a help call button that can be pressed in an emergency situation.

How It Works

Wearable Fall Detectors (Often worn around the neck or wrist):

• The device’s inbuilt technology detects sudden changes in movement and orientation
• Some models include a manual button to press in case of emergency

What Happens After a Fall

• The device automatically sends an alert to a 24/7 monitoring centre but a button can also be pushed on the device to send the alert if needed
• If a carer is in the property, any alerts can also be presented to a portable pager or handset which would alert someone of an issue
• The operator can speak to the person through a base unit or smart speaker to establish the situation and assess for appropriate action
• If needed, they can dispatch help—family, carers, dedicated responders or emergency services

Benefits

• Rapid response to falls, reducing the risk of complications
• Peace of mind for users and their families
• Supports independent living for longer

Things to consider

• Decide whether the alerts would need to go to a monitoring centre (usually when someone lives alone) or to an ‘onsite’ carer
• Devices will usually only pick up and send alerts where ‘hard falls’ have occurred and not necessarily those falls where someone has fallen/slumped slowly from a chair
• Alerts can be sent to family members, carers, a monitoring centre or emergency services
• It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure this equipment is secure as well as regularly test the device to ensure alerts will continuously be sent correctly