Receptivity to protective garments among the elderly

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomechanics
• Public Health

Background:

• Hip fractures in older adults are a significant health concern, increasing with the aging population and associated healthcare costs.
• Falls are a primary cause of hip fractures in the elderly.
• Innovative protective undergarments for hip injury prevention have been developed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the receptivity of community-dwelling elders to wearing hip protective undergarments.
• To identify characteristics of elders who are receptive versus unreceptive to wearing the garment.
• To explore predictors of receptivity based on fall risk factors.

Main Methods:

• A logistic regression model was used to analyze the probability and odds of garment receptivity.
• Predictor variables were categorized into demographic/predisposition, health/mobility, and social support domains.
• Study population comprised community-dwelling elders.

Main Results:

• The study identified key demographic, health, mobility, and social support characteristics associated with receptivity to hip protective garments.
• Logistic regression provided insights into the odds of adoption based on specific elder profiles.
• Findings were contextualized within existing research on fall risks in older adults.

Conclusions:

• Understanding elder receptivity is crucial for the successful implementation of hip protective undergarments.
• Specific characteristics can predict willingness to adopt fall prevention technology.
• This research informs strategies for promoting the use of hip protectors among the elderly to reduce fracture incidence.