Detects activity or inactivity within the property
The PIR is a small hand sized unit that is usually fixed to the wall – often the corner of a room. It is a device that can pick up on movement in the room where it has been installed (via a passive infra-red device located within it). Most people will be familiar with these devices if they have a burglar alarm already in their property and there is usually one in many of the rooms.
Who is it for?
• Individuals with health conditions that can deteriorate during the day e.g. unstable diabetes where there is a risk of hypoglycaemia.
This solution works by looking for movement in the property about every 4 hours. In this circumstance a PIR is either placed in the bathroom or kitchen, depending on the individual’s choice/ routine. If the PIR does not detect movement during a four hour period it will trigger a call through to the response centre, who will check that the person is ok. The system can be deactivated when a person leaves the property.
• Using the PIR as described above has also helped in detecting falls. An alert is raised if motion has not been detected within the property of a defined period of time. This is a falls solution to be used if the service user lives alone and will not wear/activate a pendant or falls detector.
• Carers who are concerned about their own health and what would happen to a loved one if they suddenly fell or became ill.
How does it work?
The decision to use a PIR is usually made where the solution required involves knowing whether the person is moving around their property or not. This is sometimes known as “activity/ inactivity monitoring”.
This equipment sometimes proves itself useful when many other options have been ruled out, for example where other forms of fall detection are not appropriate for an individual and their circumstances.
