A device to get help to the elderly faster after a fall is the brainchild of two grade 12 students.
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Launceston College grade 12 student Isaac Brain and his cousin Mitch Torok, at Rosny College, have teamed up to produce a device to help pinpoint when and where an elderly person has fallen.
The device, which is worn on the wrist, has a large button that sends information back to a website.
The website can then be accessed by care providers or family to assist whoever has fallen.
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Mr Brain said the idea came from discussions with his cousin about Mr Torok’s great, great-grandmother.
“She still lives at home, alone, and Mitch was worried that if she had a fall at home that no one would know and she wouldn’t be able to get help,” he said.
The prototype design, which is similar to a watch, has already netted the pair a state award.
Mr Brain and Mr Torok won the senior secondary category of the iAwards, the TasICT Awards for Excellence.
A ceremony was held in Hobart last month.
However, the boys are poised to take on the country, when they compete in the national awards at the end of August.
While Mr Torok has been taking care of the hardware side of the device, Mr Brain has designed and programmed the website.
I have been exposed to computers from an early age, and I did my first basic programming when I was 10 years old.
- Launceston College student Isaac Brain
The device sends information back to the website each time the button is pressed.
Mr Brain said his website also has a GPS component, to allow it to accurately pinpoint where in a building a person has fallen.
Another feature of the device is that it has an accelerometer, so it can predict if a fall has occurred even before the person has hit the button.
Mr Brain said he had been interested in programming and software from a young age.
“I’ve always been curious about them,” he said.
Winners and merit recipients from each state go on to represent at the national iAwards. The national awards involves pitching to a panel of judges, a showcase event and a gala dinner.
Mr Brain and Mr Torok will pitch their aged care device idea to the national judges on August 28 and 29, with the gala event held on August 30.