IoT Fall Detection System for Elderly: Architecture and Benefits

This article describes the architecture of an IoT-based fall detection system designed to help elderly people. It also highlights the benefits and advantages of such a system.

Introduction

The inspiration for this system stems from the unfortunate reality that elderly individuals often face serious injuries or even death due to falls. Many elderly people suffer from conditions like joint pain, back pain, and knee pain, and some are even confined to bed, limiting their mobility. As people age, their strength diminishes, making falls a more significant risk. Falls can be particularly dangerous for elderly people with heart conditions.

The IoT-based fall detection system described here aims to assist elderly individuals by promptly informing their caretakers when a fall occurs. This immediate notification allows for swift attention and necessary actions to be taken, potentially saving the person who has fallen.

IoT Based Fall Detection System Architecture

Figure 1: IoT based Fall Detection System architecture

The figure above illustrates the architecture of the IoT fall detection system. As shown, wearable sensors, including an accelerometer and gyroscope, are worn on both hands of the elderly individual. These sensors can also be integrated into a watch-like device. Through careful experimentation involving simulated falls, threshold values for these sensors are determined and stored as a reference.

The sensors are connected to a compact ESP32 board, which features Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi connectivity. The data collected by the sensors is transmitted to a cloud storage server, such as Adafruit IO. The data analysis can be performed either on the server or directly on the ESP32 board.

By comparing real-time sensor data with the pre-defined threshold values, the caretaker is alerted via a call or SMS message to their registered mobile number.

To ensure cellular wireless connectivity, boards utilizing cellular technology (GSM or LTE) are incorporated into the system.

Advantages of IoT Fall Detection System

Here are the key benefits and advantages of an IoT-based fall detection system:

• Reduces Mortality: The system can significantly reduce the number of deaths among elderly individuals due to falls.
• Relieves Caretaker Stress: It alleviates the anxiety and stress experienced by caretakers concerned about the well-being of elderly people.
• Saves Time: Caretakers are not required to be constantly present with the elderly, freeing up their time for other responsibilities.
• Cost-Effective: The system is relatively inexpensive due to the availability of affordable components.
• Enables Immediate First Aid: By alerting caretakers immediately after a fall, the system facilitates prompt first aid and medical attention.