The impact of a fall detection system on older adult's intrinsic factors

Background: Falls are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity amongst the older adult population. Falls are multidimensional and have no single cause. They are the result of an interaction with the person’s intrinsic... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Falls are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity amongst the older adult population. Falls are multidimensional and have no single cause. They are the result of an interaction with the person’s intrinsic factors and their external extrinsic factors. This research explores the effects a fall detection system known as FATE has the specific intrinsic factors of fear of falling and balance and gait, furthermore evaluating if this has an impact on their independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) (Igual et al, 2013).

Method:
A crossover design was adopted in carrying out the study with participants spending 6 months in the intervention phase using the FATE system (an accelerometer sensor based fall detection system), 1 month in wash out and 6 months in control. Comprehensive assessment of ADLs, balance and gait and fear of falling was carried out at pre and post of intervention and control phases.

Results:
The results indicate that the fall detection system had a significant effect on lowering the fear of falling of participants whilst maintaining balance and gait, and maintaining the participant’s quality of life over the period of the study.

Conclusion:
The fall detection system known as FATE lowers fear of falling. This in turn translates to reducing the psychological intrinsic factor of fear that is commonly associated with falling or a risk of falling.

Application to Practice:
The use of fall detection systems like FATE should be encouraged by healthcare professionals in order to reduce fear of falling.