More than one-fourth of adults 65 and older fall each year, with a heavy quality of life impact Those who have a history of falling may benefit from medical alert systems with fall detection Several providers offer options with the feature These include mobile alert devices and at-home systems, as well as a number of add-ons Peace of Mind Most medical alert systems have a button that users can press to call for help Many of them also feature GPS location for added safety This option is particularly important for seniors living alone Getting help quickly after a fall can reduce the risk of serious complications, such as pressure ulcers, dehydration and pneumonia In addition to helping with immediate emergencies, a fall detection device can provide peace of mind for seniors and their families For example, some studies have shown that people who use medical alert systems are more willing to admit that they’ve fallen and seek assistance Fortunately, medical alert systems with fall detection are available in a variety of forms, including pendants and bracelets Some offer GPS, which is important for seniors who live alone or have a condition like heart disease that causes dizziness or Parkinson’s, which increases the risk of falling Some devices have a camera-free imaging radar sensor that can detect a fall and alert caregivers, without intruding on a senior’s privacy Safety A medical alert device that detects a fall offers a safety net for seniors who live alone If they fall, they can press their help button and an emergency monitoring agent will contact them and dispatch assistance This is an especially important feature for people who have fallen before, as they are twice as likely to fall again Medical alert devices that include fall detection are available as pendants, bracelets and smart watches https//personalmedicalalarmscomau/fall-detection-alarms/ Some devices require a monthly charge, while others are free to use with a service plan https//personalmedicalalarmscomau/ It’s also worth checking with your health insurance to see if you can offset the cost of a medical alert device with flexible spending Medical Guardian offers several different at-home and mobile medical alert systems with fall detection They range in price from 30 to 120 per month plus a one-time 99 equipment fee Their SOS Mobile and All-in-One devices are lightweight, compact and designed to be used at home or on the go They are paired with a wearable help button necklace or bracelet and have optional location tracking and a built-in fall detector Cost Falls are the number one cause of injury for seniors A fall detection device can provide peace of mind for both the senior and their loved ones When choosing a medical alert system, look for a company that offers a money back guarantee, lifetime warranty and a price lock guarantee Additionally, look for a company that allows couples or roommates to split the cost of a plan This way if one person falls, the other can push their help button and receive assistance Finally, look for a system that has GPS This will allow your loved one to be tracked outside of the home if they fall, which can be extremely helpful The system should also have a waterproof pendant and be able to work in the shower or bathtub, where most falls happen https//personalmedicalalarmscomau/gps-locator/ Additionally, look for a system that offers a free trial and allows you to cancel your subscription if you aren’t satisfied Ease of Use If your loved one has a condition that increases their risk for falling, a medical alert system with fall detection is an excellent option A device worn on the person’s neck or wrist sends a signal to the monitoring center when a fall is detected To determine whether a fall occurs, the sensor measures various metrics including impact speed and distance, motion, and changes in barometric pressure Many systems also account for movement after a fall and avoid false alarms by detecting small movements Lifeline’s AutoAlert technology is calibrated to do just that and earned the Reviews Team’s “Most Accurate” designation Using a device that automatically calls for help is important for seniors who have difficulty pressing their medical alert button or who might forget to do so It’s also vital that they get help quickly after a fall because studies show 60 of seniors who don’t receive help within the first hour of a fall die or become permanently injured