According to the number of falls, fallers can be single (only one fall) or recurrent (two or more falls), with different risk profiles for loss of independence and frailty. The presence of risk factors in community-dwelling single- and recurrent fallers using a wearable fall-detection device, such as the Personal Emergency Response System (PERS), as part of a telemergency service, is still unknown. This article evaluates how using a PERS, within a telemergency service, helps identify risk profiles and assessment of any differences between non-fallers and fallers in community-dwelling older adults. A sub-group analysis was performed, dividing users into non-fallers (n = 226) and fallers (≥1 fall; n = 89); single-fallers (n = 66) and recurrent fallers (n = 23). Median age was higher in fallers (87.7 years vs. 86), whereas recurrent fallers were less independent, had fewer comorbidities, and had more low-extremity disabilities. The use of the PERS for medical problems (Adjusted OR = 0.31), excluding falls, support calls (Adjusted OR = 0.26), and service demands (Adjusted OR = 0.30), was significantly associated with a fall risk reduction. The findings suggest that the integration within a telemergency service may impact on fall-risk factors.

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERSs) are fall-detection devices supporting users in any situation. No previous studies have investigated the differences in events and the use of PERS between users financially supported by public authorities (public users) and those who privately afford the PERS cost (private users). More than two years of data collected by the Telemergency Operation Centre (TOC) were downloaded. All users who sent at least one real alert to request support were included. No differences were found for falls (37, 16.7% vs. 95, 13.4%) and medical problems (46, 20.7% vs. 122, 17.2%). The dispatch of an ambulance was necessary for all medical problems, while for falls, this was only in half of cases. Public users significantly asked more for service demand, while private users asked for support calls. The TOC staff directly managed most of the service demands (398, 97.3%) and support calls. PERS could be a valid instrument for promoting independent living and helping manage chronic conditions in older adults. The results suggest that PERSs might improve in-home care services, facilitating the connection to in-home services.

Ageing is a critical challenge for public health and healthcare systems worldwide, as it is associated with an increased risk of falls, disability, cognitive impairment, and comorbidities. Among strategies to reduce negative fall outcomes, fall detection devices, such as Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS), seem to be beneficial tools. PERS enable the detection and reporting of potentially dangerous situations in and outside home. However, more studies are needed to understand who can best benefit from these devices, as most did not associate alert data with user health information. For this purpose, a retrospective cohort study is being conducted to describe two years of alerts activation and the characteristics of users, distinguishing between those who privately pay for the service and those who receive a fund from public local authorities.