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Technology Innovation Enabling Falls Risk Assessment in a Community Setting
Ageing International
|June 11, 2011
Summary
Falls are a major health concern for older adults. This study explores using low-cost technology for community-based gait and balance assessments to prevent falls proactively, moving beyond reactive monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Public Health
Background:
- Falls significantly impact individuals over 65, incurring substantial costs.
- Current fall management relies on reactive monitoring (e.g., pendants), not prevention.
- An aging population necessitates a shift towards proactive, community-based fall prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current gait and balance assessments for falls risk.
- To explore the application of low-cost technology for community-based objective assessments.
- To report on research utilizing body-worn sensors for falls prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of technical and non-technical gait and balance assessments.
- Discussion on applying low-cost technology for objective community assessments.
- Review of research using body-worn sensors for falls risk assessment.
Main Results:
- Gait and balance impairments are key fall risk factors.
- Low-cost technology can enable community practitioners to perform objective assessments.
- Body-worn sensors show promise in falls risk research.
Conclusions:
- Technological advancements can facilitate proactive, community-based falls prevention.
- Objective gait and balance testing in the community is feasible.
- Ethnographic research is proposed to address adoption barriers for new technologies.
