I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up:
New Technology for Seniors Who Live Alone

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Each year, roughly one-third of the U.S.’s 65-and-older population will suffer a fall, often with consequences!

Over the past 30 or so years, families have turned to personal emergency response systems (PERS) – a wireless, pendant-style “help” button – to help keep their elderly loved one safe in the event of a fall or other accident.

But PERS’s have several drawbacks… Many seniors forget to wear their pendant button regularly, and if they do have it on and fall, they still have to be alert enough to actually push the button.

NEW TECHNOLOGY

To help overcome these issues, there are several new PERS’s on the market that offer enhanced technology that can help ensure a senior’s safety if a fall happens.

One of the new products is Wellcore, a PERS device that has fall detection sensors in it that can automatically summon help without the user having to press a button. Plus, it will beep to remind the user to put it on, and if he or she doesn’t, it will notify a family member or caregiver. And, when paired with a compatible cellphone, it can even be used outside the home. The price tag: $199, plus a $50 monthly service fee.


Other companies that now offer PERS fall detection technology are Philips, maker of the popular Lifeline Medical Alert Service, who just introduced the AutoAlert option. And Halo Monitoring, who offers MyHalo. Both of these services cost around $50 per month.