Living Alone? How a Fall Detector Pendant Can Save You

Senior Gentleman wearing Smartfall Blue Fall Detector Pendant.jpg

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a fall is an “event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level.” Falls are so common that the WHO estimates over 646,000 fatal falls each year, making it the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths all over the world.

Meanwhile, Queensland Health estimates over 100,000 Australians from 2016–2017 alone were hospitalised due to a fall—that’s around 270 people every day! Trends documented by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) revealed that elderly Australians aged 65 years old and above were those who suffered the most during a fall. Furthermore, head injuries for older Australians aged 85 years and older were also estimated to increase by 6.7% every year.

These statistics point to the genuine challenges everyday elderly Australians face, especially among those who live independent lives – the good news is, it’s not impossible. With the right fall detector pendant, you or your loved one can live life with the assurance of help whenever and wherever you’ll need it.

Read below to learn more about what a fall detector pendant is, how it can benefit you or your loved one’s healthcare, and where to get one that best fits your needs.

In this article:

  • What is a fall detector pendant?

  • How does a fall detector pendant work?

  • What are the benefits of fall detector pendants and personal safety alarms for seniors?

  • Where can I get a fall detector pendant?

What is a fall detector pendant?

A fall detector pendant is a small, wearable device that senses when the person wearing it experiences a fall. Once the device detects a fall, it triggers an alert, warning a 24-hour healthcare monitoring team that will send the necessary help to the wearer.

Fall detector pendants are often worn by:

  • Elderly and seniors

  • People with disabilities

  • Individuals with medical conditions

  • People who live alone

  • Remote workers

  • Anyone who is at risk of falling

Although most fall detector pendants are worn around the neck, there are also fall detectors like the Tunstall Vibby Fall Detector that come with a wrist strap, allowing it to be worn just like a watch.

Vibby fall detector by Tunstall Healthcare.png

How does a fall detector pendant work?

Fall detector pendants have built-in, tiny, sensitive sensors that continuously monitor your movements. These sensors collect real-time data, such as the device’s altitude and speed. The data is then run through an algorithm that determines whether any sudden height and speed changes mean a fall. The technology behind this detection system is improving rapidly, meaning fewer and fewer falls go undetected.

Every fall detector pendant has its way of confirming a fall. Let’s take the Smartfall Blue Pendant as an example.

Starfall Blue fall detector pendant by Tunstall Healthcare.png

When the algorithm in the Smartfall Blue Pendant’s system determines a fall, it will vibrate and emit three short beeps accompanied by red LED flashes. The pendant will wait a few seconds before sending an alarm to our 24-hour Customer Care Centre that will send help your way.

The device waits a few seconds before alerting our care team to account for false alarms. When the Smartfall Blue Pendant unintentionally triggers an alert, you can cancel it by rapidly tapping its case three times.

Many fall detector pendants also act as personal safety alarms for seniors. When you need help, all you need to do is press the device’s call button, and you’ll be connected to a professional healthcare team in an instant.

Some fall detector pendants can also be linked to a falls management solution system. For example, our falls management systems consist of a wearable fall detector and home alarm such as the SmartLink Medi Guardian MKII 4G. With a home alarm, you can speak directly to our Customer Care team after a fall or any other emergency. Our consultants will call for assistance and stay on the line until help arrives.

What are the benefits of fall detector pendants and personal safety alarms for seniors?

There are many benefits of wearing a fall detector pendant:

  • More independence

  • Quicker and around-the-clock access to help

  • Increased chances of a full recovery

  • Peace of mind

Falling poses a real threat to the life and independence of any elderly person or person with a disability. If you live alone, wearing a fall detector pendant or fall detection watch enables you to live your life independently with the reassurance that help is always available when you need it, even if you are unconscious or unable to call out for help yourself.

Wearing personal safety alarms doesn’t just ensure you have access to help when you need it – it also helps make sure that you have quicker access to it.

We all know that during an accident, every second counts. So, the sooner you get medical attention, the better your chance of making a full recovery.

If you’re a family member or caregiver, a fall detector pendant gives you peace, knowing that professional care representatives can assist your loved one at any time.

Elderly-man-and-daughter-1024x738.jpg

Where can I get a fall detector pendant?              

At Tunstall Healthcare, we offer a range of intelligent fall detector pendants and personal alarm pendants or a personal alarm watch for seniors that enable you or your family member independence and peace of mind. With our falls management solutions you can “worry no more”, with the assurance that any fall or accident won’t go unnoticed. For reliable and fully-integrated personal alarms in Australia, choose Tunstall Healthcare.

Are you interested to learn more about our fall detector pendant products or personal alarms for seniors? Don’t hesitate to contact us today for more information.

Get your personal alarm today:

About the Author
Alistair Wilkes
Alistair Wilkes

Alistair is Marketing Team Manager with Tunstall Healthcare, and has been with the company for more than 7 years. Throughout his time with Tunstall, he has assisted with the development of internal and external communications for the company, including blog articles and web content. His background is primarily in the non-profit industry, working across human rights, disability support and child protection.

See all of Alistair's articles.