What is Fall Detection and How Does It Work? | Fall Alert Systems for Seniors

Fall detection is a safety feature commonly built into medical alert systems that automatically detects when a person has fallen and connects them to emergency help. For older adults living alone or anyone concerned about falls, fall detection systems offer essential protection and peace of mind.

Why Fall Detection is Important for Older Adults

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four Americans age 65 or older experiences a fall each year. And, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fall every 11 seconds.

Fall Prevention Tips

There are plenty of precautions you can take to avoid falling victim to a fall:

Home Safety Adjustments

  • Remove anything in your home that you might trip over, like wires and cables, to reduce your risk.
  • Make sure your rooms and stairwells are well-lit. Consider investing in a few night lights to keep around the house so you can see clearly during midnight trips to the bathroom.

Exercise and Health Maintenance

  • Engage in a low-impact exercise program like yoga, swimming or Pilates to help strengthen your balance, which is great protection against a fall.
  • Stay on top of your ear and eye exams to help keep your senses sharp, which is crucial to catching yourself before and during a fall.
  • If you are often dizzy and prone to losing your balance, have your doctor check your blood pressure and review your medications. Some pharmaceuticals have side effects that can contribute to your risk of falling.

These are all great preventative measures to take. But falls can still happen despite your best efforts to prevent them. So, it’s worth checking out fall detection or fall alert systems too.

How Does Fall Detection Work?

What Is a Fall Detection System?

These are medical monitoring systems that alert a crisis-trained emergency responder when a fall has taken place, so they can send help immediately. It’s just another layer of protection to make you feel safer and more secure in your own home.

How Medical Alert Systems Detect Falls

Fall detection senses a fall using an accelerometer inside your medical alert pendant and connects you to a highly trained emergency response operator, even if you can’t push your emergency button.

Choosing the Right Fall Alert System

Do You Need Fall Detection?

All Medical Alert systems include an emergency button you can press any time you’ve fallen–whether you’ve suffered a serious injury or just want someone to be aware. The button is lightweight and waterproof, which means you can bring it everywhere, including in the shower or bath, where falls often occur.

But what if you experience a fall but cannot reach your button? Or you don’t want to risk further injury by fumbling around for it?

We highly recommend a fall detection system, whether you’ve already fallen or just want to ensure you’re protected. Fall detection is available as an add-on for all Medical Alert systems.

Cost of Fall Detection

If you’re already a Medical Alert customer, adding fall detection to your plan is just $10 a month. An investment in fall detection is an investment in your safety–and your peace of mind.

Stay Safe and Independent with Fall Detection

If you or a loved one is concerned about falls, a Medical Alert system with fall detection can provide peace of mind. Take our product quiz to find the right system for you or call us today at Call: 800-800-2537 to speak with a specialist.