lift me up - cs4222 group 9. elderly falls – how big is the problem? about one third of the elder...
TRANSCRIPT
Elderly Falls – How big is the problem?
About one third of the elder population over the age of 65 falls each year, and the risk of falls increases proportionately with age. At 80 years, over half of seniors fall annually.
NUH said that about 11 per cent of its daily admissions of patients above 65 are for falls.
Up to 70 per cent of elderly people who fall develop a fear of it happening again. This fear could make them hesitant to leave the house or take part in various activities. It could lead to further weakness, social isolation and even depression.
This will become increasingly important as the population ages. By 2030, one-fifth of Singaporeans will be 65 and above.
Our solution – Lift Me Up
A free application run on Android platform with min API level 11
Smart fall detection system to prevent false alarm
Multiple communication channels : SMS, DTN communication
Employs the location service provided in by the smart device
Fall Detection
Accelerometer TYPE_ACCELEROMETER
50 samples/second
3 states confirmation Primary fall (pattern)
Long lie (time threshold)
Confirmation
Sends emergency message after confirmation
Emergency Message
Communication Channels
SMS
Mobile Network (GCM Push)
DTN
Location
Android Location Services API
Location Provider (Network Provider + GPS)
Geofencing
Sound and visual alarms
Alerts people nearby
Provides contact information
What Is a Fall?
A fall is a sudden change of body position (from a height) coming to rest on the ground (after a hard impact), followed by a moment on inactivity (subject becomes unconscious).
Focus is on serious fall – subject is immobile & unable to get help.
Acceleration Pattern
Total Acceleration:
= Acceleration pattern of a fall:
Initial position (nearly 1G if user is at rest)
Sudden change to free fall ( nearly 0G) (Lower Threshold)
Impact on the ground (sudden surge in acceleration , can be >3G) (Upper Threshold)
Inactivity (1G)
Long Lie State
After Primary Fall detected:
Long Lie State: Check if user become
unconscious .
Acceleration : nearly 1G.
If detect any further movement, recover
from Primary Fall.
Confirm Fall
After Long Lie State: Then we can
confirm a Serious Fall is detected.
Start a timer. Before time out, user can
cancel alarm and stop timer.
After time out, message will be sent for
help.
Challenges
False Positives: Timer to cancel alarm Add extra constraint to detect
primary fall such as orientation changed
Users carry phones differently
Cannot be used in all situations
Conclusion
Low-cost alternative for people who cannot afford dedicated medical alert solution.
Very effective if emergency is correctly triggered