Sensors help predict accidents 3 weeks in advance

There are many dangers at older people. It can be harmful to their health, or even lead to death. But now, researchers have developed a revolutionary home surveillance system. It can predict the accident of the elderly before the three weeks.

This sounds like it only exists in science fiction, but scientists have actually done it. The infrared screen of the sensor can detect subtle changes in the health of the elderly. It can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy: what changes our grandparents' health can make suddenly fall.

This is a very new system, even called a pioneer in this field of technology. Specifically, the system uses sensors located in each room of the house. This allows medical staff to intervene before fatal accidents occur.

By preventing falls, the system allows older people to live longer than usual for 2.5 years. It also saves millions of dollars in social care bills.

The device works by measuring the walking speed and stride length of the elderly in the family. Experts say the machine can predict small changes if an older person becomes weaker and is more likely to fall.

Older people are more likely to fall.(Photo: Getty Image).

The system is made up of many motion sensors. If there are strange signals, it will automatically trigger a written or email alert and then the doctor will intervene.

Sensors measure movements by using infrared light. It is similar to motion sensor detectors used in video games like: Kinect, Microsoft Xbox.

According to studies, a person with a slow speed will have a four times higher risk of falling. Researchers predict: if the pensioner's stride falls 5.1 centimeters per second, 86% are at risk of falling within the next three weeks.

They figured out the number by comparing the stride length with 20% of people with a constant stride length. If the stride length decreases by 7.6 cm, about 51% of the elderly will fall. Because of that research, American scientists have developed this technology to help the elderly live longer.

Falls are one of the main causes of hip fracture in the UK and many health problems cannot be diagnosed. According to the survey: one in three retirees has fallen at least once in the past year. This costs $ 2.36 billion a year in health care. The research leader - University of Missouri professor Marjorie Skubic discussed this system at the American Association. This is the annual meeting of Advancement of Science held in Boston, Massachusetts.

Professor Skubic invented the system after her mother-in-law broke her shoulder bone due to a serious fall.

In the market today, most measures to help the elderly are used only after the elderly fall. She said: " It is not like that. If you ask someone where they want to go when they get older, they all say that when they are old they just want to stay in their own house. They don't want to go Where to move . "

Keeping a person in their home is much cheaper than having to lock them in a hospital room with a full medical staff. Professor Skubic uses the system to help 23 retirees with an average age of 85. The system will help them live comfortably alone, without fear of unexpected falls, no one will help.

This monitoring technology can operate for an average of 4.3 years. Researchers say that older people who use the device feel more secure and comfortable. They also forgot the presence of these sensors in the home, but it still works well to detect when the elderly can get into an accident.