Best Bed Sensors For Elderly
Best Bed Sensors For Elderly
When you or your loved ones reach a certain stage in life or health, the fear of falls gets more and more real. As we age, it is likely that our bodies will become weaker and more fragile. A fall can lead to bruises, soreness, and even broken bones. Bed sensors are a great way to detect the movement of someone while they are in their bed, so you can be available to help them should the need arise. Read on to discover a few of the best options for these products.
How We Found the Best Bed Sensors
Best Bed Sensors We Reviewed:
Best Cordless
Features and Specifications
Pros
-
Liquid resistant
-
Can be placed under shoulders or hips for different alerts
-
Low, medium, and high volume settings
-
Portable alarm
-
Easy to use
-
Easy to clean
Cons
-
Does not include AC adapter
-
Limited use since it detects all movement rather than just falls
The Smart Caregiver Wireless Bed Alarm and Bed Pad is an effective tool in fall prevention. The system is comprised of a bed sensor pad and one wireless bed alarm. It is designed to let loved ones or caregivers know when someone is getting out of bed, even when they are not in the room.
The bed sensor pad can go under the resident’s shoulders or hips. When it is placed under the shoulders, a caregiver is alerted once the resident sits up. If it is placed under the resident’s hips, the caregiver will know when the resident is getting out of bed altogether.
The alarm has various volume settings, and since it is wireless, you can place it where ever you want or just take it along with you. The soft vinyl cover of the pad makes it very easy to clean, and it is resistant to liquids.
This is a great option for caregivers and for seniors who don’t want any discomfort of added cords in their bed.
Our Verdict
This cordless bed alarm system makes caregiving easy without having to fuss with uncomfortable wires and complicated setups. Though its use is limited to one year, it is a very accurate and convenient tool to prevent falls.
Best With Call Button
Features and Specifications
Pros
-
No cords to set up or maneuver
-
Easy to use
-
Call button for emergencies
-
No pads to setup
-
Long-term use
-
Personalized setup
-
Various volumes for alerts
-
Fast sensor
Cons
-
Does not include AC adapter
-
Some customers experience false alarms due to high sensitivity
This Smart Caregiver fall prevention system is one that uses zero cords and zero hassle. If you do not like the idea of handling cords or even making your loved one sleep on a vinyl pad, this may be a good system for you to try. The Cordless Motion Sensor and Nurse Call System detects any movement and alerts you with a monitor, while the call button is available for seniors to alert caregivers when quick help is needed.
Place the motion sensor whereever you see fit. You can have it set up on a nightstand to detect when your patient or loved one is getting out of bed. To specifically detect falls, you could place it on the floor. Alternatively, you can place it in a doorway to detect when they are walking and leaving the room unattended.
Additionally, this system features the use of a cordless call button. In case of emergencies, loved ones can push this button to activate the cordless monitor. They can wear it around their neck, or you can place it in an easy-to-reach spot.
With this system, both the senior’s comfort and caregivers peace of mind are taken care of with the added call button and no pesky pads or cords that go into the senior’s bed.
Our Verdict
Without dealing with unsightly cords or bulky mats, this system senses the motion of your loved one as they get out of bed or walk across their room. It is highly sensitive and works while also providing a call button for quick notice.
Best For Patients Under 120 Pounds
Features and Specifications
Pros
-
Easy to use
-
Easy to clean
-
Liquid resistant bed sensor pad
-
Convenient pager with personalized alarm settings
-
Activation beeps to alert when sensor pad in use
-
Wireless system
-
Call button on monitor
-
Sensitive sensor pad
Cons
-
Overly sensitive pad can set off false alarms
-
No way to disable the system when not in use
Some bed sensor pad systems have a hard time detecting lighter-weight users. More fragile, less heavy patients may find that the systems don’t recognize their smaller frames. The Smart Caregiver Wireless Monitor takes care of this problem with its specific design for lighter weight seniors.
This system is made up of a 10” x 30” soft vinyl bed pad sensor, a wireless pager, and a monitor that is attached to the sensor pad. The monitor detects when a patient or loved one is getting into bed with two quick beeps, so the user can be aware that the sensor is active.
When the patient gets up, an alarm is set off on the caregiver’s wireless pager. The pager is made for convenience, featuring adjustable alarm sounds, a vibrate only option, an indicator light selection, and a convertible belt clip/stand. With these customizable features, the caregiver can be sure they’re alerted no matter what they’re doing.
Additionally, the bed sensor pad is made to be soft and comfortable for seniors while also being resistant to liquids and easy to clean.
Our Verdict
This highly sensitive system is great for those who are lighter in weight. While some pads may not recognize a lighter person, this pad’s sensitivity works excellently for those under 120 pounds.
Best Floor Mat
Vive Wireless Call Button – Emergency Alert System for Patients – Smart Portable Medical Panic Button
Features and Specifications
Pros
-
Comprehensive system can work together
-
Adjustable delay compensates for sleep movement
-
Easy to use
-
Easy to clean
-
Comfortable pads
-
Pads are liquid resistant
-
Personalize your system
Cons
-
All system pieces sold separately
-
Bed sensor may not be large enough to guarantee it will be within range of a fall
The Vive Home Alert System offers a variety of sensor pads and alarms for purchase. While these items do not all come together, they are available separately for your use depending on your needs.
Within this system, you can purchase a chair sensor pad, alarm pager (needed for the chair sensor pad), bed pad, floor sensor mat, and a window and door unit. All of these items together make up an excellent wireless fall alert system.
All of the products in this system effectively notify loved ones and caregivers when a patient has moved out of bed or has fallen. The bed sensor can be adjusted to compensate for shifting during sleep.
The sensor pads are made from soft vinyl, making them comfortable for use on beds and under the feet. Their material is liquid resistant and very easy to clean, and all of these sensors can be paired with the alarm pager, a door light, or a nurse call receiver.
If you only choose to purchase the floor sensor mat, it will detect when the patient’s feet hit the ground. This is a great alternative to bed sensors that can be uncomfortable for the senior. Furthermore, a floor sensor will specifically monitor for falls and whenever the patient gets out of their adjustable bed rather than any simple movement that can set off a bed sensor.
If you’re most worried about a senior’s comfort and their propensity to fall off of their bed, this simple sensor is a great option.
Our Verdict
While each item in this system is highly affordable, they do all need to be purchased separately, which raises the cost a bit. However, we have found each item in this system to be accurate, useful, and easy to use.
What is a Bed Sensor?
A bed sensor, also referred to as a bed alarm, is a device that allows caregivers and loved ones to monitor a patient while they are in bed. These alarms track the motion of a patient, alerting caregivers when there are changes or possible falls.
Mostly, these alarms work off of pressure. Many of these systems incorporate special pressure-sensing pads that are placed on the bed, or sometimes on the floor. When a patient lies down on a bed sensor pad, the pad recognizes the weight placed on it. When that patient arises, the sensor pad sends a signal to a receiver held by a nearby caregiver, alerting them that their patient is trying to get out of bed or has moved. Bed sensors are better at preventing falls than floor sensors because a caregiver can come care for a senior if they’re trying to get out of bed and help them before a fall takes place. With floor sensors, they’ll alert caregivers if a senior is standing or laying on the floor, but it may be too late to have prevented a fall.
Some systems use motion sensors rather than pads, where you can place motion detection technology on nightstands or on floors.
Types Of Bed Alarms
There are a couple of different types of bed alarm systems on the market today. They are all effective, however, some prove to be more beneficial in certain situations.
The most common kind of bed alarm system uses pressure sensors. The sensors are placed in pads that are typically made from some kind of soft vinyl. This material makes them more comfortable for sleeping on. They are also easy to clean and are not affected by moisture. Despite their design, these can still be annoying for seniors to sleep on, so a floor sensor may be better for their needs.
On the bed, sensor pads can be placed either under the shoulders or the hips. When placed under the shoulders, they alert caregivers when patients sit up. Under the hips, caregivers are alerted when the patient gets completely out of bed.
In the same way, floor mat sensors alert caregivers when patients get out of bed and step on the floor.
Another type of bed alarm is an infrared sensor. These sensors use a beam of infrared light to monitor a patient. The beam senses the presence of a person, so when they move and trip the light, the alarm is set off.
Caregivers can place these sensors near the bed or doorframes.
Benefits Of A Bed Alarm
Bed alarms are typically used to prevent falls and injuries in elderly folks. As our bodies age, the risk of falls goes up. A fall for an older person can be very harmful and cause serious injuries.
Bed sensors are great for those who are concerned that their loved ones might be trying to get out of bed on their own when they should instead have help doing so. Whether they need significant help or just an extra hand for balance, a bed alarm can let you know when you need to be there.
Those who are suffering from dementia can easily forget where they are or that they shouldn’t be doing things on their own. It can be very dangerous and detrimental to their health if they forget that they need help getting out of bed.
Along these same lines is the fact that people with dementia are at risk of wandering. They can become lost easily, and if no one has their eye on them, they may wander out of their home or care facility. A bed sensor alerts caregivers when a patient starts to move so they can catch them before they wander off.
Additionally, these sensors are good for those who need assistance with bathroom usage. When a patient needs to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, they can alert you simply by standing or sitting up.
Sleep Securely
It can be scary to leave an elderly loved one alone at night, especially if they have dementia. The thought that they could hurt themselves from the simple tasks of getting in and out of bed is certainly a cause for worry. Using a bed, floor, or motion sensor with an alert system is a great way to ease some of that concern and get them the help they need when they need it.
Because of a variety of products on the market, you can find the best one that meets both the senior’s and caregiver’s needs – including comfort, sound, and positioning of the sensor.