Fall detection and GPS are two of the most important features in medical alert systems, but they aren’t standard on all products and you may find that you need to pay extra to acquire them. That said, what are these features, how do they work, and what are the best medical alert systems with GPS and fall detection installed?
What is Fall Detection Medical Alert System?
According to the CDC, there are over 36 million incidents of older adults falling every year, and these result in more than 32,000 deaths and over 300,000 hospitalizations for hip fractures.
A medical alert system won't prevent these falls, but they will ensure that the patient gets help as quickly as possible. After all, a large number of those deaths are the result of people struggling to get up and remaining on the floor for hours. If they live alone and don't have anyone caring for them or watching over them, it's a very real threat.
Medical alert systems counteract this issue by giving them a button they can press to call for help. Fall detection systems take things a step further by automatically detecting when the wearer has fallen and ensuring they get help quickly.
Automatic fall detectors use accelerometers to detect sudden body movements. They know how to tell the difference between a wearer who is sitting down or slowly getting into bed and someone who suddenly crashes to the floor following a trip or stumble.
It's the same technology that's used in smartwatches and smartphones, and it has been honed after many years of use and technological advancements.
What is GPS on a Medical Alert System?
It's estimated that at least 60% of dementia patients will wander off at least once, and many of those patients will do so multiple times. It triggers police searches, causes panic among family and friends, and while many patients are found safe and well, a small number of them result in serious injury and even death.
A GPS device tracks their location at all times. If they leave the house, it will track them and provide loved ones and emergency response units with the information they need to locate them and bring them home safely.
The Best GPS and Fall Detection Emergency Response Systems
When choosing a medical alert system with GPS and fall detection, you need to check the features. For example, is it waterproof? What is the battery life like? You must also consider the cost by factoring in any activation fees and monthly costs.
We have listed a few of the best medical alert systems that include these features to help you out, but it's always worth double-checking features and costs yourself.
LifeStation Mobile with GPS
This GPS medical alert system includes a wearable button that can be worn around the neck or wrist. It comes with a two-way voice communication system through which you can speak with the monitoring center, along with Wi-Fi and GPS tracking capabilities.
The prices start at around $35 per month but you'll need to bump this up to $40+ if you want the added fall detection feature.
MobileHelp Solo
MobileHelp has some of the best medical alert systems on the market. The majority of these systems work through mobile and GPS technology and the Solo is one such example. It's a smart, slick device and while you will need to pay an extra $10 a month to get fall detection, it still brings the total to around $45, which isn't too bad considering the quality of the product.
Philips LifeLine Go Safe
The Philips LifeLine Go Safe features two-way voice chat, GPS, and an intelligent tracking system that monitors your movements and makes it easier for emergency responders to find you. The Philips LifeLine is an excellent choice and comes with state-of-the-art fall detection, which is often said to be some of the best on the market.