Anti-fall sensor for the elderly being developed

We do hear of the elderly falling down suddenly without any “help” from a wire or a wayward broom on the floor, and this has not only caused serious injuries but death at times. Prevention is always better than cure, which is why an anti-fall sensor would be more than welcome among humanity. Researchers over at Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia received a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Smart Health and Wellbeing Program, where this money will be put to good use in the development of a portable fall prediction monitoring system that is said to be able to detect fall risks early on, delivering an early diagnosis and treatment before the unfortunate happens.

Meant to reduce long-term health effects and injuries, and perhaps even keep death at bay, this device should definitely look decent enough to be worn as a fashion accessory without announcing to the world that you’re in need of help from unlikely sources (no matter how old you are, you still have an ego, you know).

This anti-fall sensor will then measure potentially small declining increments in gait, posture, and mobility of a patient, and right now there is an early prototype available. Being roughly the size of the now defunct iPod mini, you can wear it on minimally invasive locations. All data will be sent wirelessly, we just hope that there is a built-in charging reminder considering the target age group this device is meant to cater to.

Edwin Kee
Categories: Gadgets, Medical