Fall detection tech allows users to access quick medical assistance following a fall, as the tech detects the incident and then issues a medical alert, an all-important tool for seniors living alone.
A survey commissioned by Age UK has found that millions of elderly are worried about falling over, with 36 per cent of people asked saying it topped their list of concerns – so the tech is certainly sought-after.
Fall technology launched back in the 1990s, with businesses giving consumers access to pendants to wear, buttons to press and numbers to ring.
But since then, the technology has moved on and been adapted to help provide reassurance to the families of the elderly, accident prone and people living alone. Agetech World takes a look at what’s on offer…
People Power and Vayyar Imaging
People Power and Vayyer Imaging recently teamed up to provide individuals who live alone with discreet fall detection technology though the power of sensors that are strategically placed around the home.
There are many benefits to this state-of-the-art tech, including its subtle detectors that require no wearables, cameras or buttons – ideal for keeping the home clutter-free or for those who may forget to wear devices.
The sensors are constantly monitored by the People Power’s advanced AI technology which records trends in activity patterns and can detect and provide hazard alerts.
The tech is certainly an advanced option to consider, but there are other choices on the market too…
With over one quarter of British homes housing an Amazon Alexa device, the next product is certainly attainable and trusted by most households to ensure family members are safe.
The Alexa Together is a multi-user subscription service costing around £20 per month with the aim of protecting elderly relatives.
The membership features an emergency helpline, fall detection and activity detection which is all hosted through the Amazon Echo device, costing between £20 and £40.
The service is part of Amazon’s Alexa Together package, which alerts designated users when the Echo device of a family member has been used and offers a feed of interactions they had with Alexa throughout the day. With the newer Alexa Together package, it includes hands-free access to an urgent response helpline and compatibility with fall detection devices from ATS and Vayyar.
However, there are other more wearable products on the market that are potentially useful for elderly people who like to stay active.
The Apple Watch and Samsung Watch possess many advanced features, but most importantly have recently been making developments in their fall technology elements.
Apple has enhanced its algorithms by adding an attribute that allows the user to enable fall detection during workouts, which was developed as a result of Covid-19 after the rise of at-home exercise.
Samsung also recently announced new updates to the Galaxy Watch 4, where the fall detection features work even when the wearer is motionless, as previously the device relied upon the built-in accelerometer, which monitors speed.
Both devices work in a similar way, sending a notification to the user that it has detected a fall, and if the message isn’t responded to within a certain timeframe, help is called.
Walabot Home
The issue with smart watches is whether they are worn in the bathroom, where 80 per cent of falls actually occur.
The Walabot Home device has been created specifically for restroom and bedroom usage, and works by using radio sensors, not cameras, to ensure the user’s privacy is protected.
The tech is fitted to a wall and provides family members or nursing staff with insights including fall detection, room status (which indicates whether the person is in the room or not) and updates on night-time wandering.
Not only can the tech be installed at home to provide families of the elderly with peace of mind, but it could also be beneficial to care homes, as Walabot Home can provide detailed reports on each resident to enable staff to prioritise care delivery.
Instead of monitoring falls, tech that prevents them in the first place could be even more useful. That’s the idea behind Smart Socks, created and manufactured by PUP.
The high-tech footwear is designed to be used by hospitals, care homes, rehab facilities and in the home.
Its most basic feature is its anti-slip grips that prevent slipping on tile flooring, but the sock is also rigged with sensors designed to send alerts to medical staff or family members to make them aware of movement or falls so that real-time care can be provided when it is most critical.
In fact, this piece of kit is so advanced that it notifies the closest members of staff or relatives as soon as the wearer leaves their bed, so assistance can be provided before a potential fall even happens.