A Fall Detector alarm works in the same way as our standard red button alarms, allowing you to call for help with one touch of a button. However, the Fall Detector comes with even greater protection; it contains an intelligent sensor that detects when the user has a fall. When a fall occurs, the Fall Detector will automatically raise the alarm, with no need for the user to press a button.
What is a Fall Detector?
The Fall Detector is a small, lightweight pendant alarm. It can be worn around the wrist or the neck, with two comfortable attachments provided. The Fall Detector pendant is water-resistant for safe use in the bathroom, where falls are more likely. It has an impressive range of up to 100 metres, offering protection throughout the whole home and garden. What’s more, it has a powerful battery lasting up to two years, so there’s no need to charge it.
The sensitivity of the Fall Detector can also be adjusted depending on individual needs, providing confidence to anyone who is at risk of falling.
Who Might Need a Fall Detector?
Older people have the highest risk of falling; in fact, more than a third of over-65s will have at least one fall each year. This figure increases to 1 in 2 over-80s. Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people. They can also have a significant impact on long-term outcomes and quality of life. For example, many people feel the need to move into residential care after a fall, long before they had ever planned to leave their own home.
Many older people struggle to get back up after a fall without assistance, even if they are uninjured. This means they often have to wait for hours on the floor before help arrives.
With a Fall Detector alarm, you’ll be able to call for assistance straight away. This leads to faster medical treatment (if needed) and less time spent waiting for help. If you are worried about falling or you know someone else who is, a Careline Fall Detector could be the ideal solution.
We particularly recommend the Fall Detector for the following people:
- Older people who have a history of falling or are prone to falls at home.
- People with medical conditions such as epilepsy or diabetes.
- Those who are discharged from hospital and require additional support.
How Does it Work?
The Fall Detector is programmed to the wearer’s height. It detects a fall by registering a sudden drop in altitude followed by a period of stillness. When a fall is detected, the pendant will raise the alarm automatically. You can also press the face of the Fall Detector to raise the alarm at any time.
The Fall Detector alarm comes with a Careline Alarm Base Unit, which connects to the main landline telephone socket in the property. The Fall Detector pendant can communicate wirelessly with the base unit within the 100-metre range. In the event of a fall, the Fall Detector will raise the alarm via the Base Unit, which will send an alert to our 24-hour Care Team.
The Care Team will speak with the user to assess the situation. We’ll ask simple questions about what has happened and whether you are hurt. This helps us identify the best course of action. If you need assistance, we’ll call your emergency contacts to come and help you. We’ll also call for an ambulance if medical attention is required.
Can you wear the Fall Detector in the shower or bath?
The Fall Detector is water-resistant and should be worn at all times, including in the shower and bath. When wearing the pendant in the bath, we do not recommend submerging it fully in the water. This is because soaps and other bath products can damage the Fall Detector’s seals.
Can you cancel an accidental call?
Yes, the Fall Detector will alert the alarm user before calling through to our Care Team. When the alarm is raised, the Fall Detector will vibrate and light up. To cancel an accidental call, the alarm user can cover the alarm completely with the palm of their hand. When the vibrations stop, the call has been cancelled.
If the alarm user is unable to cancel the call in time, there is no need to panic. Just wait for the call to connect to our Care Team and explain that it was a false alarm. We’ll be glad to know that everything is okay. Our team are there to help, and we completely understand that these things happen from time to time.
Ordering a Fall Detector
If you would like to order a Fall Detector alarm for yourself or a loved one, you can do this online. Alternatively, you can place an order over the telephone on 0808 304 4183. Our customer service team is always available to answer any questions you may have.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 31st August 2021 to reflect current information.
