Night-time can be one of the riskiest times in a care home. Residents may try to get up on their own, perhaps to use the bathroom or simply because they’re restless, and a simple stumble can quickly turn into a serious fall. Traditional fall prevention tools, like bed or chair mats, have been the go-to for years. But they bring problems: nuisance alarms, hygiene issues, clutter on the floor, and costly replacements.
Out of bed sensors are changing this picture. Instead of waiting for someone to step on a mat, these discreet devices monitor when a resident starts leaving the bed or chair and alert staff immediately.
The result? Fewer falls, quicker responses, and a better quality of life for residents and carers alike.
Falls are the single biggest cause of injury-related hospital admissions among older people. At night, the risks multiply: lighting is lower, confusion and disorientation are more likely, and staffing levels are reduced. Something as routine as getting up to use the toilet can become a high-risk moment.
For carers, it’s impossible to be in every room at once. And while regular checks are important, they’re not always enough to prevent falls the moment they happen. Out of bed sensors provide that extra layer of protection, filling the gap between observation and independence.
An out of bed sensor is a small device mounted high in the corner of a resident’s room. From there, it covers the bed and chair zones, monitoring when a resident leaves them. If someone begins to get up, the sensor instantly alerts staff via their handsets or displays.
Unlike mats, these sensors don’t rely on pressure being applied to a specific spot. That means no clutter on the floor, no trip hazards, and far fewer false alarms from residents simply shifting their weight.
Installation is simple: engineers can usually fit around 30 devices in just two days with minimal disruption. Each unit calibrates the room in under a minute, learning the layout so alerts are precise from day one.
One of the biggest differences is flexibility. Each sensor can be configured to a resident’s individual risk profile:
For someone at low risk, alerts may only trigger if they fully leave the bed.
For those at medium or high risk, the sensor responds more quickly, with tighter monitoring and shorter exit delays.
For bedbound residents, the system can be set so any bed exit is treated as an immediate high-risk alert.
Carers can also press a simple pause button when they’re delivering personal care. Alerts are silenced for 15 minutes and then automatically resume, so staff don’t need to panic if they didn't remember to switch them back on.
This smart configuration means fewer nuisance alarms and greater confidence that when an alert does sound, it’s meaningful.
For residents, out of bed sensors are discreet and dignified. There are no visible mats to trip over, no wires running across the floor, and no uncomfortable pressure pads under chairs. The monitoring is unobtrusive and doesn’t interfere with daily life.
For staff, it’s about reassurance and efficiency. Alerts are clear and immediate, showing exactly who needs help and where. Attendance logging records who responded and when, giving managers the evidence they need for audits and inspections. And with fewer false alarms, carers can spend more time supporting residents rather than resetting mats.
At first glance, mats may seem like the cheaper option. But they carry significant ongoing costs. Bed mats, chair mats and PIR sensors typically need replacing every six months, and for many homes this adds up to £4,000–£8,000 per year. Add in the time staff spend responding to false alarms and the disruption they cause, and the real cost is much higher.
Out of bed sensors remove this recurring expense. They’re a one-off investment that pays for itself, not only through avoided replacement costs but also through fewer falls, reduced hospital admissions, and improved staff efficiency.
When you factor in the hidden cost of mats, the payback period for out of bed sensors is clear. Most homes see full ROI within three years. That’s before even considering the peace of mind for families, the reduction in safeguarding incidents, and the ability to demonstrate safer care to regulators.
Put simply: by replacing outdated mats with out of bed sensors, care homes save money, reduce risks, and improve quality of life.
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Do out of bed sensors completely replace bed and chair mats?
Yes. They cover the same risk areas without the drawbacks of mats, providing smarter, more reliable monitoring.
How are the sensors installed?
They’re mounted out of reach and out of sight. Installation is quick, with minimal disruption, and each device calibrates the room in seconds.
Can they be tailored to each resident?
Absolutely. Each device can be set to match individual risk levels, from low-risk residents to those who are bedbound.
What happens when carers are in the room?
Carers can press a pause button to temporarily silence alerts while delivering care. After 15 minutes, alerts resume automatically.
What’s the payback period for a care home?
On average, homes recover the cost within two to three years. Savings come from eliminating the £4,000–£8,000 annual cost of mats and PIRs, reducing hospital admissions, and improving staff efficiency.
Falls prevention has moved beyond mats. Out of bed sensors offer a smarter, safer, and more cost-effective way to protect residents, especially during the night. With discreet installation, flexible risk settings, and a clear financial return, they provide care homes with the tools to keep residents safer, staff more confident, and families reassured.