How does PacSana help with falls?

How does PacSana help with falls?

What is a fall?

The World Health Organization defines a fall as follows:

A fall is defined as an event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level

It can include a fall from a height, a slump or an inability to stand-up due to a health event. 

Fall Detection Overview

The PacSana fall alarm sensor uses an algorithm to recognise the difference between ‘hard’ falls and other movements. Like many similar devices on the market, it cannot guarantee to detect all falls because it is dependent on the speed of descent and the magnitude of the impact.

To address different fall scenarios, a selection of different app notification options is supported. These are directed to agreed family members and caregivers. To receive the notifications, each must be logged in to the app with the selected alerts enabled. Professional caregivers, for example, may choose to view the event history daily instead of receiving alerts in real time.

Hard Fall Detection

PacSana analyses bracelet movements to detect hard falls. To minimize false alarms from other rapid arm movements, a notification is only sent if the client remains inactive for 15 minutes.

Alert Button Support

In the event of a soft fall, a client can activate the alert button to summon help.

Inactivity Detection

A notification is also sent if a client is completely inactive for two hours.

Recovery Event

A recovery notification is sent if a person is active following a reported fall or button activation. At their own discretion, a family member or caregiver may use this information to de-escalate their response.

Fall Prevention Overview

The best way of dealing with falls is to prevent them from happening in the first place. The PacSana Remote Monitoring Platform provides a range of actionable insights to get ahead of any issues and promote well-being.

Gait Speed

Gait Speed, how fast you walk, is proven to correlate with fall risk. PacSana provides suggested threshold values to help identify those at risk. Corrective actions can include a strength and balance program, the removal of trip hazards or the addition of grab rails in the home.

Exercise Participation

Monitoring activity and exercise levels empowers caregivers to proactively encourage clients to stay active, reducing the risk of falls and promoting overall well-being.

Bed Exit Reporting

While there are other reasons to leave the bed at night, 3 or more bathroom visits will double the risk of a fall the next day.

Sleep Measurement

PacSana provides detailed insight into clients' real-time and historical sleep levels. A bad night’s sleep will increase the risk of a fall by 20%.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by closely monitoring gait speed, exercise participation, bed exits, and sleep patterns, and by implementing weekly emergency drills, we can significantly reduce the risk of falls and enhance overall safety. 

These proactive measures not only help to identify potential risks early but also empower both caregivers and clients to maintain independence and well-being. With continued attention and support, a safer and more active lifestyle is well within reach.


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