Did you know that in the UK alone, falls are the leading cause of emergency hospital visits among those aged 65 and over? It is estimated that these falls and their related injuries cost the NHS around £2 billion annually.
While these figures are concerning, there are promising developments in fall prevention. Many researchers and developers are focusing their efforts on tackling this crisis. For example, a new device has recently hit the testing phase, and the results so far have been very promising.
Lee Trainor, who suffers from spinal stenosis, has developed a device called The Shuffler, with the hope that it will help lower the risk of falls in the elderly.
This device is made up of two low-profile frames, each big enough for a single foot. In these frames sit ribbed, cylindrical rollers that mimic a moving floor, allowing you to slide your feet back and forth over the rollers for seated exercise.
The Shuffler has been launched and tested in three sites across the UK, including the Romney Marsh Community Hub. For one member of this community Hub, the device has improved her mobility and strength so much that she has been able to postpone her previously scheduled knee surgery.
You can use this device in several ways, but here’s how to get started:
- Find a comfortable and secure place to sit, such as a chair or the edge of your bed.
- Place your feet on the ribbed rollers and gently slide them back and forth.
- It’s recommended to use the device three times a day for about 10 minutes each session. As with any exercise, start slowly and gradually work up to regular use.
Lee Trainor designed this device with a clear goal: to help older adults and people with limited mobility live more active, healthy, and engaged lives.
We are excited to see the positive impact the Shuffler can have on older people and the NHS. However, this is only the beginning. We’re pleased to see how many individuals and companies are focusing their efforts on helping and protecting older or vulnerable people. With that in mind, here are some additional exciting developments in fall prevention.
‘Smart Flooring’ to Reduce Injuries Related to Falls
A trial has been launched at the University of Surrey investigating the use of ‘smart flooring’ to lessen the impact of falls. The idea behind this trial is to create a flooring system that looks and feels like a regular floor but softens upon impact, potentially minimising injury. In the current stage of this trial, researchers are gathering information on how different floor materials affect balance and stability.
As the project progresses, ‘smart flooring’ could be beneficial in easing the pressure on the NHS currently caused by the high volume of fall-related injuries. Eventually, the developers of this project would like to see ‘smart flooring’ installed where older people are most at risk, such as care homes and hospitals.
Wearable Airbags to Help Prevent Fractures
While smart flooring is designed to protect you indoors, wearable airbags can protect you wherever you are. US-based company Briggs Health Solutions Inc. is one of the latest to make progress in this area. Recently, they debuted a product called the ‘Smart Hip Guardian’. At first glance, the Smart Hip Guardian appears to be an ordinary belt; however, it is much more than that.
The belt’s built-in sensors are designed to detect when a person is about to fall and respond by deploying an airbag from within the device. The airbag is said to deploy in less than 0.2 seconds, protecting the wearer’s hips and waist from the impact of hitting the ground.
Briggs Health Solutions Inc. is not the only company working on wearable airbags. Another recent development comes from Azimut Medical. Their flagship product, Air-Sequr, uses a similar concept to the Smart Hip Guardian. However, in their version, the airbag and its sensors are built directly into the waistband of a pair of trousers, making the device even less visible.
The progress in this area is something to be positive about, especially as studies show that in older adults, over 90% of hip fractures are the result of a fall. These devices could make a significant difference in reducing those figures.
The Use of AI in Preventing Falls
A new AI tool developed by health-tech company Cera is predicted to reduce hospitalisation by up to 70% in monitored patients. How does it work?
Cera stands as the UK’s leading home care provider. Its proprietary technology and AI tools are in use during over 2 million home care visits a month across parts of the UK. Through the Cera App, carers and healthcare professionals log patient symptoms and data, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature.
The AI-integrated tools then analyse this data to identify patterns of deterioration or other abnormalities. As a result, the system can predict the risk of future falls and alert healthcare providers to step in before an emergency arises. Since its trial in July 2023, this tool has helped to greatly reduce A&E attendances among the elderly and is estimated to be saving the NHS £1 million a day.
AI is transforming many areas of healthcare. In addition to the Cera App, AI is being used by the NHS to improve the diagnosis and treatment of strokes. The diagnosis of a stroke is incredibly time-sensitive; therefore, reducing the time it takes to make such a diagnosis is crucial and potentially life-changing for patients.
How is AI helping? By scanning hundreds of CT images at once, the trained AI algorithm can flag an abnormality in mere seconds, a process that would typically take a trained doctor at least 30 minutes. A technician then double-checks the AI’s work, ensuring the diagnosis is correct and then life-saving treatment can begin as soon as possible.
We’re thrilled to hear of these exciting new opportunities for improving healthcare. These developments, along with established devices, such as wearable health monitors and personal alarms, are significantly improving patient care and empowering older individuals to regain their independence.
At Telecare24, we strive to keep you informed about the latest breakthroughs in healthcare. You can help support these advancements by sharing this information with your friends, family, and anyone you feel may benefit from this research.
If you’ve found this information interesting, you may also enjoy our blog The Future of Remote Healthcare: Exciting Developments in Telehealth.
