Problem Statement: Falls cause 95% of hip fractures and up to 80% of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in older adults. The rates of falls and injuries are at least 2-fold greater for older adults in long-term care (LTC) and acute care compared to those living independently. Falls management in LTC and acute care requires complementary efforts for preventing falls, and for preventing injury when a fall occurs.
Research Purpose: The proposed program of team research addresses the need to facilitate sustainable uptake with proven technologies, and to develop new technologies for preventing fall-related hip fractures and TBI. Approach: Our projects draw together partners in healthcare, industry and academia to address evidence-to-practice gaps in fall injury prevention technology. In Project 1, we will co-develop and evaluate strategies to increase uptake with wearable hip protectors, a technology that has proven cost-effectiveness but generally low compliance in LTC. We will build on our success in implementing hip protectors in LTC in BC’s Fraser Health Authority (FHA), where hip protectors are worn in 60% of falls, and reduce fracture risk 3-fold. We will operationalize, adapt and evaluate the FHA hip protector implementation model to LTC sites in Schlegel Villages (SV) in Ontario, where hip protectors are worn in less than 7% of falls. In Project 2, we will co-design and evaluate the usability of wearable technologies to prevent fall-related TBI in LTC and acute care sites in FHA and SV, including unobtrusive products that provide “hidden” protection to the brain during a fall.
Anticipated impacts: Our deliverables include evidence-based strategies for implementing hip protectors in LTC, and unobtrusive wearable devices designed to prevent fall-related TBI in LTC and acute care. We will also generate new evidence on the facilitators to successful implementation of wearable technology for fall injury prevention in these settings.