The Lived Experience of Using a Fall Detection System

Background: It is predicted that 2 billion of the worlds population will be aged over 65 years by 2030. One of the greatest causes of mortality and morbidity amongst this aging population is falls. A key element in determining... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
It is predicted that 2 billion of the worlds population will be aged over 65 years by 2030. One of the greatest causes of mortality and morbidity amongst this aging population is falls. A key element in determining recovery post fall, is the timely detection of a fall (GHA, 2011). Several fall detection systems (FDS) exist on the market, however few are researched in terms of use from the older adults point of view. This piece of research aims to address this gap in the research.

Method:
FATE (Fall detector for the elder) is a FDS that involved participants to use the system for 6 months. Qualitative interviews were carried out to gain insight into the older adult’s lived experience of using the FDS. 11 interviews were carried out in total, using a phenomenological approach.

Results:
The results indicate that the FATE system was seen as positively effecting their daily lives. Themes that arose from the analysis of the interviews included; increased sense of security, re-engagement in activities of daily living and giving peace of mind to the older adult user and their loved ones.

Conclusion:
Overall, it would appear that systems like FATE improve the older adults quality of life by enabling to re-engage in once meaningful occupations. Furthermore, the importance of user centered design was highlighted amongst the older adult participants.

Application to Practice:
The results of this research gives healthcare professionals insight into how systems like FDS can impinge on the older adult life.