Fall Detection Sensors for Seniors - A Son's Solution

The Prevalence and Impact of Falls Among Seniors

Falls represent a significant health concern for older adults who maintain a degree of independent living. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies falls as the primary cause of injury for individuals aged 65 and older. Approximately 10% of these incidents result in serious injuries necessitating medical intervention.

Despite the need for treatment, a substantial number of fall victims do not receive adequate care.

The Genesis of SafelyYou

George Netscher, a trained software developer, observed the difficulties his grandmother and aunt, both affected by Alzheimer’s disease, experienced in preventing falls. Driven by concern for his mother’s potential future health, Netscher established SafelyYou, a technology company focused on improving senior care.

Netscher explained to TechCrunch that the technology’s origins lie in his doctoral research from 2015. He stated that SafelyYou’s core objective is to deliver the highest standard of care for seniors across all care environments.

How SafelyYou Operates

SafelyYou markets its platform to senior living communities and utilizes a system combining camera technology and AI-driven sensors. This combination is designed to identify potential falls as they occur.

Upon detecting a fall, the sensors automatically initiate alerts via text message and phone calls to available staff members, enabling prompt assistance.

Furthermore, SafelyYou maintains a dedicated remote clinical team responsible for documenting each fall incident. This team then provides recommendations to clients, assisting them in implementing preventative measures to minimize future risks.

“Our clinical experts have analyzed over 300,000 real-world events,” Netscher noted, “and consistently review fall footage, perform root cause investigations, and offer insights to reduce falls within senior living facilities.”

Distinguishing SafelyYou from Competitors

While several fall-detection products are available for the elderly, Netscher asserts that SafelyYou exhibits a lower rate of false alarms.

“Certain fall detection technologies may not register a fall unless an individual remains on the ground for a minimum of 12 seconds, potentially missing incidents where someone falls and quickly regains their footing,” Netscher clarified. “Our technology operates passively and doesn’t rely on wearable devices or input from residents or caregivers.”

Overcoming Challenges and Securing Funding

SafelyYou faced potential closure during the COVID-19 pandemic due to widespread quarantines in assisted-living facilities. However, the company successfully navigated this period and currently serves approximately 1,000 senior living communities.

To facilitate its continued growth, SafelyYou recently completed a $43 million Series C funding round. Touring Capital led the investment, with participation from Foundation Capital, Omega Healthcare Investors, Founders Fund, Cross Creek Advisors, Samsung Next, and Qualcomm Ventures.

Netscher indicated that this new funding, bringing the company’s total raised capital to over $100 million, will be allocated to expanding the team based in San Francisco, which currently comprises around 100 employees.