Improved motion sensing system better ensures safety of seniors living alone

Madam Ng Ban Wee wants to spend her remaining years at home, in the community she is familiar with.

- Judith Tan Correspondent

But the 72-year-old widow was worried about how safe it would be to grow older on her own.

"Because I live alone, I used to be concerned that I would fall and no one would come to help me," she said.

In response to such concerns, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) on Oct1 introduced an improved version of its Home Monitoring and Eldercare (HoME+) system that uses 3D motion-detection technology.

And Madam Ng will be getting it.

The existing system already provides seniors living on their own with a helpline for non-emergency situations and a monitoring, alert and response system for home safety.

It comes with four sensors that detect movement, and two panic buttons, one of which the senior wears around the neck.

The motion sensors in the home trigger an alert when there is prolonged inactivity - for instance, for a period of four minutes after the senior enters the bathroom.