By Tyler Sutherland
The Victoria General Hospital has added a new feature to its popular not-for-profit Victoria Lifeline service, an enhanced medical alert system in place across Manitoba to notify emergency personnel when assistance is required.
On Tuesday, Lifeline with AutoAlert was introduced, which is an enhanced medical alert system with automatic fall detection capabilities. Lifeline with AutoAlert is a pendant-style button that can automatically call for help if a fall is detected and the person is unable to press his or her button.
“This year, one out of every three Manitobans over the age of 65 will experience a fall,” said Diane Silverthorne, director of Victoria Lifeline. “A fall can leave a person disoriented, injured, and unable to push their personal help button. Lifeline with AutoAlert gives clients the peace of mind and reassurance to live safely and independently.”
If a person experiences a fall, sensors within the pendant will monitor things like the acceleration of movement and change of height and register a fall signal. If the person does not get up on their own or push their help button within 30 seconds, AutoAlert will call for help automatically.
