Falls in the home can happen in an instant. And anyone at any age can fall, but for seniors, the results can be partially damaging and hard to recover from.
According to the NHS, around 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 and 1 in 2 over 80 will have at least one fall per year. Some bounce back quickly, but others take time, and the experience can be extremely frightening, especially for those who live alone.
This is where smart technology comes into the picture. Smart safety technology can make people safer. It’s not about equipping seniors with gadgets for the sake of it; it’s about giving them access to tools that can help them when they need them.
Fall Detection Pendants
These are small wearable devices with sensors that recognise sudden movement or stillness outside of normal activity. When a fall occurs, the device sends an alert either automatically or at the push of a button to a 24/7 monitoring team.
The speed of response after a fall makes all the difference in getting the help seniors need in an emergency when they’re most vulnerable. These days, modern pendants have waterproof designs so they can be worn in the shower, meaning this type of emergency response system for seniors that fall covers all daily activities and can get individuals the help wherever they fall.
Smart Watches
Smart watches aren’t new, but smart watches for seniors come with automatic fall detection for added peace of mind. They use sensors to track falls and show an alert if one occurs. If no movement or response is detected, they automatically send a message or call for help while sharing location data for improved response times and location tracking.
These watches can also track steps, sleep, activity levels, etc., which can be beneficial for identifying mobility changes, meaning you can make adjustments to reduce falls over time, too.
Voice-Activated Assistance
Smart speakers can now act as a lifeline for people who are alone or at high risk of falls. When set up correctly, smart speakers can respond to voice commands such as “call for help” or “check in with family.” You will need connected devices and to have put the directions in place for the appropriate process, though, for it to work. If someone has a fall and cannot get to a phone or call for help, this could be the next best option.
And for relatives, it gives added peace of mind as they can remotely check in or receive alerts if no activity has been detected for a while. Plus, these devices can also handle reminders for appointments or medications too.
Motion Sensor Lighting
Nighttime trips and falls are the most common cause of injury in seniors, and motion sensor lighting fixes the added problems the dark can bring. As soon as movement is detected, they illuminate the space so no one is moving around in the dark or fumbling for light switches.
You can have them connected to the electrics or use battery-powered ones and add motion sensor lighting via ceiling lights, lamps, or spot lights where it’s needed the most. It’s also one of the easiest and cheapest safety upgrades for people at risk of increased falls or with limited abilities.
