Predictive Sensors Prevent Falls

Home sensors can detect subtle changes in the health of elderly people and can predict a fall three weeks before the actual accident.

16:43 20 February 2017

A new home monitoring system has been designed to prevent fall in elderly people by predicting the accident three weeks before it happens. Infra-red monitors can detect subtle changes that can foretell possible health issues with a high degree of accuracy. This can help reduce the risk of falling which can be potentially catastrophic for their health.

 

The system, which measures an old person’s walking speed and length of stride, allows medical personnel to intervene before a potentially lethal collapse becomes likely to happen.

 

In a study, researchers found that older people have an increased risk of falling within three weeks if their walking speed slows down by 5.1cm per second.

 

Lead researcher Professor Marjorie Skubic, from the University of Missouri, developed the system after her mother-in-law suffered a bad fall and damaged her shoulder. Her goal is to help prevent falls and help older people to become more independent.  

 

She said: 'If you ask people where they want to age, they say they want to age in their own home. They do not want to move.'