Falls are one of the greatest obstacles to independent living for frail and elderly people, and one of the biggest problems in healthcare. The fear of falling may induce adverse lifestyle changes like a loss of desire to go out and to walk any appreciable distance. This might lead to isolation, reduces mobility and increases dependency. The reduction of mobility in itself might increase the likelihood of a fall.
Target groups for the fall detector are frail and elderly people who live independently at home and who have a history of falls in their homes and/or who have a fear of falling in their homes. The product can also be beneficial for older people who live in a sheltered housing scheme or nursing home and who are still mobile. The product might be of interest for people of all ages with a history of falls; e.g. people suffering from epilepsy (seizures).
The Fall Detector will be used in conjunction with a community alarm system. When an alarm call is activated by a fall, the control centre operator will know immediately where the call was initiated, the identity of the client, their case history and who to contact to provide help. There is a fair chance that users will not wear the device when at risk, for instance when visiting the bathroom or when leaving bed at night, still being drowsy, or performing hazardous housekeeping tasks. Use of the Fall Detector doesn't make reducing the risks of falling less important. Prevention of falls should always be number one (e.g. obstacles in living environment; use of home automation; medication, assistive aids).
last update 2002-03-18