Falls Prevention – with Assistive Technology Monmouthshire

Falls Prevention Week

Monmouthshire County Council is proud to support Falls Prevention Week from September 23^rd -27th 2024. Preventing falls is crucial not only for avoiding injuries but also for maintaining independence, dignity, and quality of life. There are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of falling.

The Importance of Falls Prevention

Falls are a significant concern, especially for older adults, or people with reduced mobility. They can lead to serious injuries, hospital admissions, loss of independence, and a decline in overall well-being. However, many falls are preventable with the right measures in place. By taking proactive steps, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling and continue to live safely and comfortably in their own homes.

Our Assistive Technology Service offers innovative solutions to help individuals live safely, securely and comfortably in their own homes.

Role of Assistive Technology

Assistive technology plays a vital role in falls prevention. These technological solutions are designed to support and enable people to live independently while minimizing the risk of falls.

Here are some key Assistive Technologies that can help:

Lifeline and Falls detector

The Wrist-Worn Falls Detector is a dual-purpose sensor equipped with an accelerometer. If it detects a direct fall with significant speed and impact and does not sense the wearer getting back up within a short period, it will automatically send an alert to the lifeline monitoring centre. The face of the unit features an emergency button that can also be pressed in emergencies. All activations from the falls detector to the lifeline will alert the operator, who will check on the person’s well-being and call for responders if necessary.

Echo Show or Dot linked with Smart Light Bulbs, Smart Plug

To reduce the risk of falls during nighttime, smart light bulbs can be installed in the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom. These bulbs can be set to activate either on a timer or through voice commands. By providing light on the journey to the bathroom, for example, these smart lights help ensure better visibility at night, thereby reducing the risk of falling.

Video Door Bell

The Video Doorbell can be linked to Alexa, allowing you to talk to someone at the front door through a screen from the comfort of your armchair. This reduces the need to get up to answer the door or rush to it, thereby minimizing the risk of potential falls.

Smart Light Bulb & Motion Sensors

Voice-activated light bulbs, when connected to a smart speaker, offer independence and reassurance. By integrating with motion sensors that detect movement, these lights can automatically turn on. This feature is particularly useful after dark, as it helps reduce the risk of tripping and falling while moving around the property.

GPS Tracking with Built-in Falls Detector

The GPS tracking device helps individuals maintain their independence while out in the community, providing reassurance to family members. It features a built-in falls detector that notifies the family if a fall occurs. Family members can log into the app to see the individual’s real-time location.

Bed Sensor & Chair Sensors

The bed and chair sensors are placed in the respective furniture and set to activate during a predetermined period. These sensors can alert as soon as they detect the person getting out of bed or chair, or after a set absence period ranging from 2 to 90 minutes. This allows time for activities such as visiting the bathroom. If the person does not return within the set time, an alert is raised to the operator, who will then check on the person’s well-being and call for responders if necessary.

Canary Kits

Home monitoring kits that help family members and professionals monitor movements around the property day and night using sensors. Over time, this data enables them to determine the appropriate care package. By analysing the collected data, they can help prevent future falls at home and ensure the correct support is in place.

Benefits of Assistive Technology

Using assistive technology for falls prevention offers numerous benefits:

Enhanced Safety: Immediate alerts and monitoring systems ensure that help is available quickly in case of a fall.
Increased Independence: Individuals can continue to live independently in their own homes, with the confidence that they are supported by technology.
Peace of Mind: Both individuals and their families can have peace of mind knowing that there are measures in place to prevent falls and respond quickly if they occur.
Improved Quality of Life: By reducing the risk of falls, individuals can maintain their mobility and engage in daily activities without fear.

Let’s work together to prevent falls and keep people living safely and happily in their own homes for longer.

Assistive technology & Smart Technology can help in many ways. Please talk to the Assistive Technology team or visit the website for more information on these and many other products.

Contact us:

Referral Form Assistive Tech Application (office.com)

Telephone: 01633 644466

Email: assistivetech@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Website: https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/care/assistivetech/