About a third of people over 65 will fall each year, those over 75 the number is even higher. Older individuals following a fall are often unable to get up off the floor without help and assistance, many may find themselves lying on the floor till help arrives. This can result in secondary problems such as hypothermia and pressure sores. Telecare can help prevent a fall occurring and ensure that help & assistance is promptly and automatically provided if you do fall.
Falls in the elderly leads to an increase in the risk of hospitalisation and a significant health decline. As well as physical injuries suffered, the psychological and social consequences of falling can have an equally huge impact. People who fall may suffer depression, anxiety, isolation and loss of independence. The direct and indirect societal costs of falls are enormous, with the healthcare costs alone in Ireland about €500 million annually. Recurrent falls often result in long term care.
Older people now live independently in their own homes for longer and this means ensuring that their properties are safe to live in. For example, the elderly are particularly at risk of falls so it is important to take steps to fall-proof their property.
Older people are more susceptible to falls for a number of reasons including deterioration of muscle and eyesight, issues with balance or a long-term health conditions such as dementia or low-blood pressure.
For family and friends, the fear of a vulnerable loved one falling and hurting themselves is a constant worry.
Prevention
Telecare sensors can be used to alert a carer or relative that an individual may be about to fall. Falls prevention telecare equipment includes automatic fall detectors, bed occupancy sensors and chair occupancy sensors.
Automatic fall detection
Automatic fall detectors will automatically place a call for help if it detects a fall has occurred, without the need of the individual having to press the button. If the individual has had a fall and cannot get back up, or has lost the ability to press the button then they can be re-assured that help and assistance will be got for them, without the need of doing anything else. Out Telecare operators will stay on the line with the person and will keep them informed regarding what help is on the way. By our Telecare operators chatting to the individual and continuously offering reassurance, anxiety levels are maintained and the risk of further damage reduced.
The automatic fall detector is designed to get the individual help 24 / 7 even if they are disorientated, immobilized or unconscious.