Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026
08:05
Design and Analysis for Fall Detection System Simplification
Published on: April 6, 2020
11.3K
Developing an audit checklist to assess outdoor falls risk
Angela Curl1, Catharine Ward Thompson2, Peter Aspinall3
1Urban Studies, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Urban Design and Planning
|May 12, 2016
Summary
Outdoor falls in older adults are a significant concern. This study identifies environmental factors contributing to falls and fear of falling, leading to a new outdoor fall prevention checklist for urban planners and therapists.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Environmental Psychology
- Urban Planning
Background:
- Falls in older adults (65+) lead to disability and reduced mobility, impacting active aging.
- Older fallers are a vulnerable road user group, yet research on outdoor fall causes and prevention is limited.
- Existing environmental audit tools are often indoor-focused or not tailored to the needs of older populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand environmental factors contributing to outdoor falls and fear of falling in older adults.
- To explore how older individuals navigate outdoor environments and perceive facilitators or hindrances to mobility.
- To develop a novel outdoor environmental audit checklist for fall risk assessment in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a walk-along interview approach with recent older fallers.
- Explored participants' experiences navigating outdoor environments and their perceptions of environmental risks.
- Developed a new audit checklist based on qualitative findings and elderly navigational strategies.
Main Results:
- Identified specific environmental features that either facilitate or hinder outdoor mobility and increase fear of falling in older adults.
- The study highlights a gap in existing tools for assessing outdoor fall risks tailored to the elderly.
- A new checklist was created, incorporating the unique perspectives and navigational needs of older individuals.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors significantly influence outdoor falls and fear of falling among older adults.
- The developed outdoor audit checklist provides a valuable tool for occupational therapists, urban planners, and designers.
- Implementing this checklist can aid in reducing outdoor falls and promoting safer mobility for the elderly.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Survey Safety
457
Surveying near highways, rough terrain, or power lines involves significant risks. Working along highways is particularly dangerous and requires the use of warning signs and flagmen. It is safest to avoid working directly on roads and use offsets whenever possible. When highway work is unavoidable, it must follow all safety guidelines. Surveyors should wear bright clothing, such as orange reflective vests, to ensure visibility to motorists, coworkers, and hunters. In construction zones, wearing...
457
01:17Design Example: Calculating Safe Diameter for Wind-Exposed Disc
375
Assessing safety in wind-exposed installations is crucial to preventing potential failures. This example explores the calculation and design adjustments needed to mount a circular disc on a building facade, where wind forces are a primary concern. A 4-meter diameter disc was initially designed as an aesthetic feature facing winds at a velocity of 25 meters per second, with an air density of 1.25 kilograms per cubic meter. Given these conditions, the drag force on the disc was determined using...
375
01:17Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
352
Flood risk assessment involves careful planning and analysis to ensure the safety of communities near water retention structures. Capacity contours are a vital tool in this process, as they illustrate the potential spread of water at specific levels in a given area. In the context of building a bund across a small valley, these contours play a critical role in evaluating the safety of nearby residential areas.In this example, the bund is intended to store stormwater in the valley. The engineers...
352
01:19Design Example: Maintaining Level of an Embankment
508
Constructing a roadway embankment over uneven terrain requires precise leveling to ensure stability and proper drainage. Surveyors use a leveling instrument and staff to calculate ground elevations and determine the required fill material at each point along the embankment alignment.The process begins by positioning a leveling instrument near a benchmark with a known elevation. A backsight reading establishes the instrument height, which serves as a reference for subsequent measurements. A...
508
01:22Design Consideration
628
Designing a structure involves a series of considerations, primarily the material's ultimate strength, calculated through tests that measure changes under increased force until the material reaches its breaking point or limit. The ultimate load, where the material breaks, is divided by its original cross-sectional area, resulting in the ultimate normal stress or strength. The ultimate shearing stress is another significant factor taken into account.
The factor of safety is another key...
The factor of safety is another key...
628
01:14Design Example: Managing Concrete Workability
327
This example deals with managing the workability of concrete for a raft foundation project under hot weather conditions. Workability is crucial for ensuring the concrete is easy to place, compact, and finish. In this scenario, a slump test — a common method to measure the workability of fresh concrete — initially indicated low workability. This was attributed to the rapid water loss from the concrete mix, exacerbated by the high temperatures causing the course aggregates to heat up.
327