What Is a Falling Alarm
A falling alarm is a medical alert device that uses sensors to detect falls and can trigger a call for help. They can be worn as pendants or in some cases are built into smartwatches and other mobile devices such as smartphones. The purpose of these devices is to reduce the number of falls and injuries among elderly people by ensuring that they get help as quickly as possible after a fall. The best medical alert systems will provide a button that can be pressed if the wearer wants to request help. They also should offer a feature that will cancel an emergency response if the wearer thinks there has been a false alarm.
Some falls are so serious that a person must be helped immediately. Research has shown that the quicker a person gets help after a fall, the more likely they are to make a full recovery. The main reason for this is that lying on the ground for a prolonged period of time can result in bruising, hypothermia from the cold, and even death.
Many seniors and people with chronic health conditions like epilepsy or dementia are at risk for falls. In some cases, they might not be able to push their medical alert system button for help because they are unconscious or unable to move. In these cases, a fall detection alarm can be a lifesaver. These devices use accelerometers to monitor the wearer’s movements. The accelerometers are programmed to detect the rapid downward acceleration characteristic of most falls. sos tracker If the accelerometers detect this movement, they will send a signal to the base station that will then contact a monitoring center or notify loved ones through the two-way speaker.
Some fall detectors will also incorporate extra sensors such as barometers (which measure air pressure changes), magnetometers, and gyroscopes. This helps them to better detect falls that happen slowly, such as when a person leans against a wall and then slides down it. personal gps tracking These additional sensors are often not necessary, however, and may increase the likelihood of a false alarm.
It’s important to keep in mind that no fall detection system is perfect. From time to time, the sensors may mistake ordinary movements -- such as bending down or getting into bed -- for a fall and set off an emergency response. Some systems will allow you to press a button on the base station or the pendant to speak to an agent and explain that it was a false alarm. Others will dispatch emergency responders and send you to the hospital.
When shopping for a fall detection alarm, it’s important to understand that the digital switchover has affected how some systems work. If you have a traditional medical alert system with a landline phone connection, it’s a good idea to talk to your provider about upgrading to a digital plan before the switchover occurs. Lone Worker App In addition, if you’re considering a fall detection alarm from a newer device such as an iPhone or the GPS alarm from Telecare24, make sure that it is unaffected by the switchover.
