A method for detecting the occurrence of a specific event is provided. The method includes: capturing image data of a scene; detecting and tracking an object of interest in the image data; analyzing features of the object of interest; comparing the analyzed features with predetermined criteria indicative of the specific event; and determining whether the specific event has occurred based on the comparison. The method is particularly useful in the monitoring of the elderly where the specific event is selected from a list comprising a fall-down, stagger, and panic gesturing.