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"Text It" program to track falls in patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Rebecca J Kamil1, Dara Bakar1,2, Matthew Ehrenburg1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Introduction:
Falls are a significant problem among older adults with Alzheimer's disease, leading to high rates of fracture, hospitalization, and death. Tracking falls in older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairment, is a clinical and research challenge.
Methods:
This prospective pilot study evaluated the feasibility of a text message program to track falls among patients with dementia. We also compared this technique with the calendar method of fall data collection.
Results:
There was a 96% completion rate of text messaging and 100% of calendars; however, the text-gathered data were more accurate.
Discussion:
A text-messaging platform to track falls shows promise in cognitively impaired individuals.