Why Falls Are Deadly for Seniors – And How Non-Wearable Fall Detection Can Save Lives

By: Eryn
September 15 2025
BMA Blog

The Hidden Epidemic of Senior Falls in Canada

Every year, thousands of older Canadians are injured in falls – and for too many, those falls become fatal. A recent New York Times article brought attention to a disturbing trend: more older adults are dying after falls than ever before. The story paints a grim but important picture of what happens when seniors fall and no one is there to help. For true safety, a medical alert Canada device can make a significant difference.

These aren’t just isolated incidents. In Canada, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among seniors. And for those who live alone, the time between a fall and receiving help is often the difference between recovery and tragedy. A medical alert system can change these outcomes.

Why Are So Many Seniors Dying After Falls?

There are three key reasons why mortality from falls is rising:

1. Delayed Emergency Response

When a senior falls, every second counts. A delay in receiving help – sometimes as short as 30 minutes – can significantly increase the risk of complications like internal bleeding, dehydration, or hypothermia. Yet, many seniors live alone, and without a prompt alert system, they may remain on the floor for hours – or worse, days.

This delay in care is often fatal. Prolonged time on the ground leads to muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), pressure sores, and infections. In some tragic cases, falls have led to death not because of the injury itself, but because no one was there to respond in time.

Despite the availability of emergency buttons and pendants, studies show that many seniors don’t or can’t use them during a real emergency – especially if they lose consciousness or become disoriented. A reliable medical alert Canada system could bridge this gap effectively.

2. Chronic Health Conditions Amplify Risk

For many older adults, a fall doesn’t happen in isolation. Pre-existing medical conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive impairments like dementia significantly raise the stakes.

A senior with osteoporosis may suffer a hip or spine fracture from a minor stumble.
Someone with heart disease may experience shock or cardiac arrest as a result of a sudden fall.
For individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s, confusion during or after a fall may prevent them from seeking help, worsening the outcome.

Even when the initial injury seems minor, these underlying conditions can cause a rapid decline. The body’s ability to heal and recover from trauma diminishes with age and comorbidities, making timely intervention critical.

3. Low Adoption of Traditional Safety Devices

While wearable emergency pendants and alert systems have been promoted for decades, many seniors don’t actually wear them consistently. Reasons include:

Discomfort or skin irritation
Stigma (they “feel old” wearing one)
Forgetfulness
Pride and denial (“I don’t need that yet”)

Unfortunately, the devices only work if they’re worn at the moment of a fall – which is exactly when many are not. According to caregiver reports and emergency service data, it’s common for seniors to remove wearables when bathing, sleeping, or relaxing at home – the precise times when many falls occur.

This is why a non-wearable solution – like Bedford’s Radar Shield fall detection system – is so important. It removes human error from the equation and provides 24/7 protection without requiring the user to do anything.

This is why the discussion must shift from reactive care to proactive detection.

Introducing mmWave Radar Shield: Medical Alert Canada Without the Wearables

At Bedford Medical Alert, we’ve taken this crisis seriously. That’s why we’re offering a Radar Shield, an innovative, non-wearable fall detection system that protects your loved ones – even when they forget to press a button.

Unlike conventional medical alert pendants, Silver Shield is:

Wall-mounted (no wearable needed)
AI-powered to recognize presence, absence, and sudden movement
Privacy-respecting (no cameras or microphones)
24/7 monitored by our Canadian response team

Whether installed in a bedroom, bathroom, or hallway, Silver Shield offers constant protection. Embracing medical alert Canada technology should be a priority for any senior.

This is the next generation of medical alert Canada – smart, reliable, and designed for real-world aging at home.

Real Families, Real Peace of Mind

“We installed the Bedford’s Radar Shield for my dad who refuses to wear anything on his neck. One night he fell getting out of bed – Bedford’s Shield detected it and got help to him within minutes.”
— Angela B., Ottawa

This kind of story is why Bedford exists.