Technology for aging in place and for individuals of different abilities continues to improve. One interesting and relatively inexpensive technology to detect when someone falls in the bathroom is owned by Vayyar Imaging Ltd and is called Walabot Home. Bathrooms are a main location for falls in a home due to a wet floor or because someone may be unsteady on their feet. This can lead to a trip to the emergency room.
What happens to someone who falls and is unable to call for help? The Walabot Home could be the answer.
The home must have an active Wi-Fi signal the Walabot Home device can receive in the bathroom. This could be a new ongoing monthly budget expense which would need to be factored into the cost of the device if internet was not already set up in the household.
Installation instructions indicate the unit must be placed on a wall opposite of a bathtub or shower and toilet and placed on the wall 5 feet from the floor. This is so the sensor on the device can detect a fall through low powered radio wave technology which detects people’s movement. A person does not need to wear a necklace or bracelet to activate the sensor to note the fall. It is important to note this device does not see anything; it detects movement. Privacy is still in place for the person in the bathroom. The instructions note that the bathroom should be no larger than 10 x 10 feet for the device to operate properly.
As with any technology, the company cautions that the device is not a substitute for calling 911 in an emergency.
The technology market is working to design and create new and better products which will allow seniors and those with differing abilities to remain living longer in their current home. The Walabot Home is one such technology which debuted in October 2018 and shown at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
While our company does not endorse any one product, I thought this technology would be of interest. If someone has tried this device, I would love to hear about your experience. Please email me at jackie@knoxvilleaginginplace.com to share your thoughts.