Motion Sensors

Z-Wave Motion and Temperature Sensor

Overview

Motion sensors are useful for assuring that your loved one is OK and moving around as you would expect. Checking in to see that your loved one is up and moving at the usual time, and moving around in a normal, predictable way, can provide peace of mind.

The sensors can be placed to help you answer questions as well, if you have any concerns. For example, you may want to know that your loved one is eating meals, and a motion sensor on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator can show you that there is motion at mealtimes. You may want to know that your loved one hasn't fallen in the bathroom, and a motion sensor there can tell you if there is excessive motion at any time, or motion that lasts longer than you would expect. Rules can be set to alert caregivers by phone, text, or email, if something isn't quite right.

Types of Sensors

There are a variety of models of motion sensors that can be used with your GrandCare system. Your GrandCare representative or installer should help you choose the sensors that are right for your needs. If those needs change, different sensors can be added to the system at a later date. As part of the installation process, the sensors are paired with your system, so that the signals are picked up properly.

One of the sensor models can track both motion and indoor temperature. Another is pet-tolerant and won't be triggered by the motion of smaller pets. Another is suitable for high-traffic areas. Others simply track motion. Most can sit on a shelf or be mounted on a wall, and there is a ceiling-mounted model as well. Sensors should be positioned so that they aren't blocked, and so that they don't accidentally get tipped over or turned around.

Motion Graph

Checking the Motion Graphs

• Log in to GCManage
• Open the Care Menu
• Click the "Activity" button - this displays a list of the motion sensors
• Click the "Show Motion Graph" icon for the motion sensor you want to check

Each vertical bar on the graph represents a 15-minute period. The higher the bar, the more motion detected in that 15-minute time slot. Note that there is a short bar, even when there is no motion detected in that time period. If there is no bar at all for a time period that has passed, that is an indication that there is a problem with the sensor. In many cases, it indicates that the batteries need to be replaced on the sensor, something that is easily checked on the Battery Report. For more serious issues, you can call your GrandCare installer, or GrandCare customer support.

At the top of the graph, you can select another sensor, or you can select "All Motion" to see a graph that merges the readings from all the sensors. Selecting "Current Status" will show you the time of the most recent motion detected by each sensor. Selecting Daily Show will show a time lapse of a day's activity.

Define a Rule Condition

Define a Rule Action

Setting Rules

You can set up rules to alert caregivers when there are problems. To add a rule:

• Log in to GCManage
• Open the Care Menu
• Click the "Activity" button
• In the Motion Rules section, click the "Add New Rule" button
  

There are two parts to each rule, a condition and an action. On the first screen, define the condition. Your rule can be triggered by:

• Any motion
• No motion
• Wandering motion
• Excessive motion
• Next motion
  

Depending on the condition, the rule can be set to detect motion at a particular sensor, at any sensor, or at all sensors.

You can choose a time period during which the rule would execute, for example for a time period at night, for a time period around lunchtime, etc. You can also specify how frequently to check the condition, or in some cases how long the condition must continue before an alert is triggered.

Examples of conditions might be:

• If any motion is detected by the bathroom detector between 10am and 6am - this might signal a caregiver to come and offer some assistance.
• If no motion is detected in the kitchen between 11am and 1pm - this might signal that your loved one has not eaten lunch.
  

Once you have defined the condition, you need to set the action. Possible actions include contacting a single caregiver, all caregivers, or a Call List. The types of contact include:

• Email
• Text message
• Phone call to home, work or cell phone
• Phone call to a Call List
  

Multiple rules can be triggered for any event, so that multiple types of alerts can be sent out.