Consumer Reports - Fall Detection Devices
More than a fourth of seniors 65 and older fall each year. Those falls can be serious.
The best medical alert systems offer a range of safety features, including some with automatic fall detection. But these devices aren’t cheap. police approved personal alarm Some companies charge hidden fees, such as activation and initiation charges.
Cost
If you or someone you know has a condition that increases the risk of falls, a medical alert system can help. Medical alert systems can detect a fall and call the user’s emergency response center. Some models also have a button that can be pressed to signal for help.
Some models come with additional health and safety features that can be helpful, including GPS tracking, medication reminders, weather notifications and caregiver assistance. Some devices are lightweight and small enough to be worn as a bracelet or necklace, while others look more like a cell phone or pedometer.
AARP recommends looking for companies that offer a variety of special features. For example, the device from Medical Guardian earns a top rating in our reviews because it has a long battery life and an industry-leading device range (1,400 feet), as well as optional automatic fall detection. It also offers a daily check-in feature where an operator calls to make sure everything is okay.
Accuracy
A medical alert system that detects falls can be an important investment in your loved one’s quality of life, especially if they live alone or are at risk of falling. However, the technology is not foolproof and may sometimes trigger false alarms, such as if someone simply lays down or falls off of a chair.
Thankfully, newer devices have improved accuracy and are designed to minimize any discomfort or embarrassment a person might feel wearing them. They also typically allow a user to cancel an automatic call for help if they are not injured and want to self-report the fall, Gros-Daillon says.
You may be able to get these systems through your Medicare plan or flexible spending account. It’s best to check with your insurance company. These devices can be worn as a pendant, wrist watch, hearing aid, or as a home-based or mobile device. Some are monitored by a monitoring center, while others are not and require the user to press a button themselves.
Range
A medical alert device helps reduce the risk of falls for people who live alone or have a health condition that puts them at greater fall risk, such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions and impaired hearing or vision. Some systems also offer additional safety or health features like GPS tracking, medication reminders, weather notifications and caregiver access via an app. Some even include automatic fall detection, though none catches every fall and can occasionally trigger false alarms.
For those who don’t want to wear a push button, medical alert devices are now sleeker and less noticeable and may resemble a pedometer or cell phone. Some devices can send a signal to an emergency response center if the push button is activated, or the user can press a button on their pendant to make a call. If you’re unsure what type of system you or your loved one needs, contact your local agency on aging for information about available options in your area.
Help button
Most medical alert systems offer a wearable help button that can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. It’s lightweight and comfortable to wear, and connects to the monitoring center so that you or a loved one can get help when needed. Some offer a waterproof option for use in the shower.
A few companies also offer automatic fall detection that can be paired with their in-home systems or added to mobile devices. These sensors look for downward movement, followed by no movement, to determine if a fall has occurred. They don’t catch every fall, but they can help reduce the number of false alarms that might otherwise trigger an emergency response.
A medical alert system can be useful for seniors and those with health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, that increase the risk of falling. It can also be a good fit for people who live alone, or for anyone who could face difficulty getting out of the house in the event of an emergency.