My Mom is 94 and prone to falling, so I am pleased to host this important guest post by a regular guest blogger here at the Caregivers' Living Room. Thank you, Maria!
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries
among the elderly, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls can lead to broken bones, head
injuries and other serious physical trauma that is more difficult for the
elderly to recover from than the average fall victim. Making sure that an
elderly loved one doesn't fall is one of the most difficult requirements of
caregiving. Even a vigilant caregiver may not be able to stick around at all
times to prevent a fall. Fortunately, fall prevention technology is a growing
industry that offers helpful ways to reduce the likelihood of a fall.
New developments in senior care have improved the lives of
seniors as well as their loved ones. The use of fall prevention technology not
only reduces the risk of a fall but allows seniors to live independently for
longer. These technologies can also be used to give caregivers peace of mind
when they are not around.
Shoe Sensors
Shoe sensors are a popular form of senior monitoring
technology. These sensors are embedded into “smart slippers” and they detect
changes in a person’s foot movement, transmitting a signal to a doctor or
caregiver if there is cause for alarm. Although this technology isn’t on the
market right now, there has been talk of more information being available about
AT&T’s smart
slipper prototype in the near future.
Carpet Sensors
Carpet sensors work similarly, but they sense changes in
movement without requiring that the patient remembers to put on shoes. Sensors
inside the carpet monitor the amount of pressure being exerted on the floor. If
a senior falls, the increase in pressure will trigger an alert that allows
assistance to come. Carpet sensors also measure the stress on the bridges of
the foot and can detect the weight and location of any object that hits the
floor.
Security Systems
Security systems installed in the home can alert caregivers
if a patient with dementia tries to leave the home. Many systems offer various
components and attributes that would aid in your senior’s well-being, which you
can learn more about through different websites.
It is common for elderly patients who suffer from dementia
or confusion due to traumatic brain injuries to attempt to wander in the middle
of the night. Wandering can be emotionally traumatic and lead to injuries, so
it is important that caregivers are notified as soon as a door or window is
opened.
Wearable Technology
Wearable
technology scaled down to the size of a button can be used to detect
whether the wearer is sitting, standing or walking. An Australian company has
manufactured a necklace with a built-in sensor that helps build the reflexes of
the wearer so he or she falls in a safer way if an accident occurs. Seniors can
use a video game console to play a simple training game that helps improve
reflexes and prevent the likelihood of a fall. Personal airbags have also been
introduced as a potential solution for making falls less damaging when they
occur.
Medical Alert Systems
Medical alert systems can help independent seniors contact
emergency services if an emergency occurs. Many of these devices are compact
and can be worn around the neck or held as a button to push in case of a fall. Medical
alert systems are ideal for situations in which a senior may be unable to
reach a phone to call for help. These devices also contain GPS to locate an
injured senior who does not know where they are.
Fall prevention technology may not be perfect, but a stream
of innovative entrepreneurs and researchers are creating lively competition for
companies who seek to make the world safer for seniors. By adopting one or more
of these fall prevention technology options, caregivers can reduce the
likelihood that a patient will fall and significantly decrease the risk of
death or serious injury if a fall does occur. For seniors, these technologies
could mean the difference between constant supervision and the ability to live
a more independent life.
Maria is a freelance writer currently living in Chicago. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a minor in Communication. She blogs about environmentally friendly tips, technological advancements, and healthy active lifestyles.
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