Technology aims to prevent falls for the Elderly
| Phyllis McGahan said using the watch has changed her life “immensely”
Predictive Risk Assessment for Fall Prevention:
The Move More Live More project in Northern Ireland aims to prevent falls by the elderly by predicting risks that contribute to falls weeks ahead of time.
The project, which involves Ulster University and other local institutions, involves wearing a smart watch that monitors activity levels, sleep, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, as well as providing predictive analytics to detect changes that can indicate an increased risk of falling.
Vicki Caddy from the Age NI Charity said, “If there are any changes, the software will pick that up, even before the individual wearer would be aware that there was anything different.”
A newly-funded project is claiming that new technology can detect signs of falls by older people up to 32 days before they occur.
Falling is one of the most significant issues affecting the health and wellbeing of the older population.
The project, Move More Live More, involves Age NI, the Public Health Agency (PHA), the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Ulster University.
Phyllis McGahan is 84 and loves nothing more than walking, but that was not always the case.
“I had a bad fall a couple of years ago,” she told BBC News NI.
Phyllis got a new knee 18 years ago and said it was never right, but signing up for a research project – with the help of a smartwatch and technology – changed her life.
“If I am sitting for a long time, it tells me to get up and move,” she said.
‘Stay stronger for longer’
Phyllis is one of the first participants in the project which is aimed at health education, prevention and intervention to reduce falls in the over 65s.
Vicki Caddy from Age NI said: “At Age NI we really understand what an impact falls can have for older people and for those around them.
Vicki Caddy of Age NI said that falls are not an inevitable part of growing older
Enhanced Fall Detection and Support through Smart Watch Monitoring Program
The program involves utilizing a smart watch to monitor various health indicators such as activity levels, sleep patterns, heart rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Through the implementation of a monitoring platform and predictive analytics, any changes in these parameters that suggest an increased risk of falling can be detected.
“In the background there is a software programme which benchmarks someone’s normal patterns of activity, their normal amount of movement or heart rate or sleep in a day,” Ms Caddy said.
A software program establishes personalized benchmarks for each individual, enabling early detection of deviations even before the wearer notices any differences. If the alerts reach a concerning level, the data is transmitted to a call center where a dedicated individual contacts the watch wearer to assess their well-being, offer assistance or health advice, and evaluate any changes in movement.
If further help is required, the program has mechanisms in place to reintegrate the person into healthcare. This comprehensive approach ensures a safety net that combines technology with a human interface, providing enhanced fall prevention and support.
|The programme involves wearing a smart watch which monitors activity levels, sleep, heart rate and Sp02 (oxygen saturation).
“New Program Offers Technology-Based Fall Prevention for Elderly”
The program is open to individuals aged 65 and above who are interested in trying out the technology.
“We are offering this brand new opportunity to the people of Northern Ireland to be among the first to experience it. We have approximately 600 smart watches available, with space for up to 1,300 participants.”
According to the Public Health Agency, falls among the over-65 age group cost the healthcare system in Northern Ireland an estimated £375 million over a two-year period.
Sandra Aitcheson, Assistant Director of Nursing at the PHA, highlighted the significant impact of falls on older individuals, including fear, anxiety, social isolation, reduced mobility, and potential admission to nursing homes.
She emphasized that when speaking with older people, the fear of falling consistently ranks as one of their biggest concerns.
By Aileen Moynagh
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