Automatic Fall Detection For Seniors

Most traditional medical alert monitoring systems rely on a pendant or button that your loved one must press in order to call for help. These systems are highly effective and save lives every day.

Some seniors, though, are at a higher risk of falling than others. There is the possibility that when your loved one falls, they may be unable to press their medical alert button to call for help. This is where Automatic Fall Detection comes in.

 

Automatic Fall Detection

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is automatic fall detection?

Automatic fall detection (also known as “Automated” Fall Detection) is typically built into the medical alert pendant, worn on your belt, or worn discretely around your chest, with a strap.

These systems feature sensors that can detect between normal activity, and an actual fall. They can be worn while relaxing on the couch or even sleeping.

 

2. How does automatic fall detection benefit seniors?

The benefits of automatic fall detection to seniors can be great. Considering that one-third of adults over 65 will fall each year, fall related injuries are not uncommon. If your loved one sustains an injury or becomes unconscious from a fall, their chance of getting help fast is not good.

Please see our article Falls Are The Leading Cause Of Injury Deaths Among Older Adults on the dangers of falls to seniors.

 

3. Does my loved one really need automatic fall detection?

• Have you or another family member ever witnessed your loved one fall?

• Do they live alone, or is their spouse still living?

• Are they beginning to “shuffle” their feet rather than take complete steps?

• Are there trip hazards around the home like throw rugs, areas where the floor is uneven, or rooms that have different floor types like carpet, ceramic tile, vinyl, or hardwood floors?
  
  Every time you go from one room to another and it's a different floor type there is a “threshold” between the rooms that creates a trip hazard.

• Do they have to use stairs to get around in their home?

• Does your loved one need to step into a bathtub to use the shower?

• Do your aging parents think they can still do just about anything on their own, and you have worries every time you see them doing it?

Answering these questions may help you decide whether you or your loved one should seriously consider a system with automatic fall detection features.

 

4. What features should I look for in an automatic fall detection medical alert system?

Besides the features that every traditional medical alert system should provide (see What Are The Most Important Features of a Medical Alert System? ) these systems may offer other advanced features that you may find useful.

First, you need to understand how the technology actually works and what its limitations are. You should consider the following:

• Is the fall detection device truly “automatic”?

• Is the detection device water-resistant?

• How reliable is the technology? Once you receive your system, be sure to test its functionality for your loved one (with them present) so you are all aware how the system and service will operate.

• Is the device comfortable to wear or will it get in the way during everyday activities?

• How easy to use is the system? You don't want anything that is complicated. If the system is truly "automatic," then ease-of use-should not be a real issue.

• Does the system come with added feature options like remote heart rate, skin temperature, and body position monitoring? Would being able to remotely view these vital signs be useful?

• Can you still simply press a button if you need help, or does the system only detect falls?

5. Do any companies offer secure websites, iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry Apps that provide access to real-time information?

With today's busy lives, we can't seem to live without technology to make our lives easier. When it comes to providing some of the most innovative monitoring solutions in the medical alert industry, there is one company that stands heads & shoulders above the rest - Halo Monitoring.

With the MyHalo system, you can keep tabs on your loved one through traditional means, such as calls from the monitoring center, and more non-traditional ways, such as a secure website portal, iPhone App, text messages, and email alerts.

 

Halo's base system, myHalo Clip, includes:

• Activity Monitoring
• Number of Steps Taken
• Body Position
• System Battery Level

Halo's Flagship system, myHalo Complete, adds these additional features:

• Heart Rate Monitoring (accurate to +/- 4 bpm)
• Skin Temperature
• Whether Your Loved One is Actually Wearing Their Device

 

6. Is automatic fall detection worth the extra cost?

After carefully considering the needs of your loved one, their current living environment, and how much time you are available to be with them, one other major factor to consider is cost. With the monthly costs nearly twice (or sometimes more) than a traditional medical alert monitoring system, the cost alone may be the deciding factor.

While most medical alert systems have no start-up fees, fall detection systems typically do. Is the extra costs worth it? Only you can make that decision.

7. What companies offer automatic fall detection systems and how do they compare?

Automatic fall detection has been around for a short-time compared to traditional medical alert monitoring systems. Due to the complexity of the systems, there are less companies that have been able to develop reliable fall detection systems.

Below are two major competitors that offer Automatic Fall Detection medical alert systems. Take a look and see how they compare.

	myHalo Clip	myHalo Complete	Philips Lifeline AutoAlert
Product	myHalo Clip	myHalo Complete	AutoAlert
Pricing	myHalo Clip	myHalo Complete	Philips Lifeline AutoAlert
Installation/Equipment	Free Self Installation. $99.00 Deposit + $16.00 Shipping Free with HALO911 Coupon Code!	Free Self Installation. $99.00 Deposit + $16.00 Shipping Free with HALO911 Coupon Code!	Free Self Installation. $60.00 Shipping/Handling Charge + $12.95 Enrollment Fee
Base Monthly Charges	$49.00/Month	$59.00/Month	$54.00/Month
Activity Monitoring	Included Free!	Included Free!	$17.50/Month Additional
Monitoring Agreement Cancellation Policy	Cancel Anytime with 30 Days Notice	Cancel Anytime with 30 Days Notice	Cancel Anytime with 30 Days Notice
Repairs or Replacement Charges	None for Normal Wear, Replacements Shipped	None for Normal Wear, Replacements Shipped	None For Normal Wear, Replacements Shipped
Equipment	myHalo Clip	myHalo Complete	Philips Lifeline AutoAlert
How Can The Button Be Worn	Belt-Clip	Chest Strap	Pendant
UL Certified Equipment	Yes	Yes	Yes
Advanced Options	myHalo Clip	myHalo Complete	Philips Lifeline AutoAlert
Exercise Detection	No	Yes	No
Mobility Decline	No	Yes	No
Heart Rate Monitor	No	Yes	No
Skin Temperature	No	Yes	No
Detect When Device is Not Worn	No	Yes	No
Secure Website For Caregiver To View System	Yes	Yes	No
Text Msg/Email Alerts	Yes	Yes	No
iPhone App	Yes	Yes	No

 

Try myHalo Complete or myHalo Clip Today & Save $115.00 with Free Shipping & No Deposit!

Using our link or HALO911 Coupon Code will waive all deposit fees and provide you free shipping and handling on either the myHalo Complete or the myHalo Clip systems, from Halo Monitoring. We may also receive a referral fee if you decide to purchase and are happy with their service. This is how we can continue to research these companies, maintain the website, and provide this information to you at no cost.