“I’ve Fallen and I CAN Get Up” — Wearable Tech for Fall Protection
If you have a loved one who has fallen recently, you know how much we all fear getting that phone call that he or she is in the Emergency Room to get X-rays for what may be broken, bruised, shattered, or ruptured.
The fact is, fall prevention is one of the most important aspects of senior caregiving.
According to CDC facts, about three million older people are treated for fall injuries annually, more than 800,000 patients are hospitalized because of a fall, and over 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling.
I Witnessed a Non-Injury Fall
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were taking a walk in our small town, wearing our masks. As we rounded a corner, we saw a man of around 80 years old using a cane who noted our approach, crossed the street to increase the social distancing, and tripped on the curb.
We hurried across the intersection to help him. As we pulled his arms to raise him off of the sidewalk, we saw his Apple Watch flash, and heard his phone say, “You’ve had a fall. Should I call someone to help?”
He pushed a button on his phone to acknowledge that he was OK and he thanked us for our assistance.
This is an example of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on wearable tech that can help by connecting you with emergency services or family members after a fall.
Senior Tech for Fall Detection
Both Apple and Android offer a variety of fall protection apps for smartwatches and smartphones, including Fall Alert – My Medic Watch, Ascent: Fall Detection, mynotifi – Fall Detection, and Help Now Alert.
With a built-in fall detection features, these apps interpret data captured by sensor technologies on your watch or your smartphone. By using innovative, interactive algorithms, they can automatically detect if the wearer has had a fall, help access the risk to the user’s personal security, then activate immediate emergency assistance if the wearer requests it.
Some of the apps can even send text messages or call your emergency contacts with the press of one button. So if you have a loved one who is elderly, prone to falls, or you just want to help ensure his or her safety, please have them download one of these apps for peace of mind.
SGD is a San Francisco Bay Area advertising, marketing and branding agency specializing in the senior and boomer markets. We’ve successfully positioned, branded and rebranded companies that market to seniors, weaving traditional and online tactics to create compelling stories that drive response.
About the Author Gil Zeimer is a Partner at SGD Advertising.
