About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Wearable Device Detects the Onset of Falls Among Elderly

by Mary Selvaraj on August 13, 2019 at 11:52 AM
Wearable Device Detects the Onset of Falls Among Elderly

Falls among the elderly are preventable with the use of a wearable device in the upper arm, that monitors vital signs and sends messages to an emergency call center or sends notifications to the smart-phones of caregivers. In response to this, the elderly receive first aid using a drone, if need be, up to 105 seconds faster than an ambulance.

Drones, smartphones and sensors could provide a lifeline to the world's growing elderly population at risk of falls, helping to cut global hospital costs.

Advertisement


A new system has been designed by a team of researchers from Iraq and the University of South Australia to remotely monitor elderly people, detecting abnormalities in their heart rate and temperature which can lead to falls, and provide urgent first aid via a drone if a fall occurs.

UniSA Adjunct Senior Lecturer Dr Ali Al-Naji and Professor Javaan Chahl are working with Dr Sadik Kamel Gharghan and Saif Saad Fakhrulddin from Baghdad's Middle Technical University to develop an advanced fall detection and first aid system for the elderly.
Advertisement

In a new paper published in Sensors, the researchers describe how a wearable device can monitor vital signs using a wireless sensor attached to the upper arm and send a message to an emergency call centre if physiological abnormalities or a fall are detected. "When a case is critical, first aid supplies can be delivered to the patient via a drone, up to 105 seconds faster than an ambulance," according to Prof Chahl. "The system not only correctly measures heart rate and falls with 99 per cent accuracy, but also identifies the elderly person's location and delivers first aid much faster." "We have also designed an advanced smartphone-based program that uses an intelligent autopilot, containing a destination waypoint for planning the path of a drone," says Dr Gharghan.

The fall detection device consists of a microcontroller, two bio-sensors, a GPS module to track the location and a GSM module to send a notification to the smartphones of caregivers. The second part includes a first aid package, a smartphone and a drone to deliver the package.

It is estimated that around 30 per cent of adults over the age of 65 experience at least one fall a year, in many cases fracturing a hip, or sustaining head injuries.

The annual global cost of fall-related acute care for older people has risen dramatically in recent years as the world's population ages. In Australia, the annual cost exceeds $600 million, and this figure blows out to billions of dollars each year in the United States and other parts of the world.

The most recent figures show that falls account for 40 per cent of injury-related deaths and one per cent of total deaths in people aged over 65 years.

Source: Newswise
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Senior Health News

Quality Primary Care Boosts Elderly Varicella-Zoster Vaccination Rates
Approximately one in three people may contract the chickenpox virus by age 80. Despite Japan's approval of the live VZV vaccine in 2016, its uptake remains limited.
Daily 7,000 Steps Could Reduce Blood Pressure in Elderly
Walking 7000 steps was found to have a positive impact on lowering blood pressure, a key factor in reducing the risk of heart-related issues among elderly.
Digestive Issues Can Make Elderly More Prone To Loneliness, Depression
Digestive illnesses among older adults result in increased levels of loneliness and depression, which in turn have a detrimental effect on overall health.
Eye-Tracking Technology Empowers Dementia Patients With a Voice
Using eye-tracking technology in dementia care facilities improves online assessments, allowing older individuals to self-report on care and quality of life.
What is the Best Temperature for Better Sleep Quality in Older Adults?
Older individual's ability to sleep well is strongly influenced by the ambient night-time temperature minimizing aging-related health risks.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Wearable Device Detects the Onset of Falls Among Elderly Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests