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The problem with accidental falls among elderly people has massive social and economic impacts. Falls in elderly people are the main cause of admission and extended period of stay in a hospital. It is the sixth cause of death for people over the age of 65, the second for people between 65 and 75, and the first for people over 75. Among people affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, the probability of a fall increases by a factor of three. Elderly care can be improved by using sensors that monitor the vital signs and activities of patients, and remotely communicate this information to their doctors and caregivers. For example, sensors installed in homes can alert caregivers when a patient falls. Research teams in universities and industries are developing monitoring technologies for in-home elderly care. They make use of a network of sensors including pressure sensors on chairs, cameras, and RFID tags embedded throughout the home of the elderly people as well as in furniture and clothing, which communicate with tag readers in floor mats, shelves, and walls. A fall can occur not only when a person is standing, but also while sitting on a chair or lying on a bed during sleep. The consequences of a fall can vary from scrapes to fractures and in some cases lead to death. Even if there are no immediate consequences, the long-wait on the floor for help increases the probability of death from the accident. This underlines the importance of real-time monitoring and detection of a fall to enable first-aid by relatives, paramedics or caregivers as soon as possible.

Monitoring the activities of daily living (ADL) is often related to the fall problem and requires a non …