I appreciate the holistic approach to fall prevention you're exploring here. As a clinical psychologist, I've found that the psychological aspect of fall risk is crucial. An early warning system, as you propose, can not only alert an individual to their physical fall risk but also address the associated anxiety and fear. Proactively engaging older adults in understanding and managing their risks can empower them to maintain independence and move more. I'm also curious to hear about the role of remote patient monitoring (RPM) in this; many of the RPM products have an algorithm for fall risk, and I would love to learn more about how these algorithms are derived and empirical data supporting their role in fall prevention. Looking forward to following this series closely.
I am so happy to see this, it is an issue that needs to be tackled. I am the CEO of a continuum of health services for older adults and we would be glad to participate as this goes forward. All of the interventions we have screened (and there have been many) fall under the heading of "oops, they fell" rather than anything that is preventative. It is so key to anticipate and understand as well as build strength and tools.
We have been conducting a small pilot using the Zibrio balance scale. It provides a fall risk score that allows our therapists to customize a therapy program for residents, readings can be taken throughout the therapy program to document improvement.
What a great idea! Being able to assess our own risk may result in more frequent interventions than having to see a doctor or a PT to get an assessment
Tried to send this via your contact us form, but it's not working. I'm reaching out from Camino Mobility we've developed a powered walker with AI computer vision that generates lab-quality gait data diurnal and longitudinally. This new window of data can be used to track stability (we have a proprietary algorithm based on multiple fall risk frameworks that will continue to learn with every step users take and any events detected), detect the early onset of conditions such as musculoskeletal issues, UTIs, and in time even dementia. And make earlier, smaller, more effective interventions. It also enables remote therapeutic monitoring, improved compliance with home exercise plans, and can provide direct coaching to help folk improve their gait and reduce fall risk. Seems a good fit with your Gait or Balance Monitor + Predictive Score + Intervention article. We could also do with some help from your longevity explorers on developing and refining our end user app. Would be good to have an introductory call, please. - see www.CaminoMobility.com. as its a public forum, I wont post my work email. please reach out at hello@caminomobility.com
While expensive, the Zibrio Stability Home scale seems to tick some of the boxes for fall risk. I have not purchased nor tried this product. I have not used this product and would like to see some data from someplace other than the company.
"$499.00
Measure and track your balance with the award-winning ZIBRIO Stability Home scale. This scale is a highly sensitive medical device that measures balance and predicts fall risk in a simple 60 second test. All you do is stand as still as you can."
The shower is one of the most dangerous places for a fall and I am always worried about it. Two things we have done is we put in a "real" wall grab bar when we remodeled our shower and when we travel we will take a shower floor mat in case the place we are going has a slippery shower floor.
The Altumview Sentinare smart activity sensor has a built-in Fall Risk Assessment tool, which can be done at home. It uses AI technology to monitor the activity of people, collect activity statistics, detect emergencies such as falls, and notify caregivers. To protect privacy, it only displays people as stick figures. It was a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree, and is one of only three fall detection devices in Amazon's Alexa Together urgent response service, with the best Amazon review. Details can be found at www.altumview.ca
Please look into research being done at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA. I recently read an article that they are working on a device that can be worn (not post fall). Don't remember all the details. They are trying to focus on how people trip or slip primarily and train them. There is a video on their website if you search research and falling
Home PT visits seem only to be covered until the patient is deemed ready for outpatient visits. Allowing for continued at home PT visits for fall prevention would make it much more accessible.
I appreciate the holistic approach to fall prevention you're exploring here. As a clinical psychologist, I've found that the psychological aspect of fall risk is crucial. An early warning system, as you propose, can not only alert an individual to their physical fall risk but also address the associated anxiety and fear. Proactively engaging older adults in understanding and managing their risks can empower them to maintain independence and move more. I'm also curious to hear about the role of remote patient monitoring (RPM) in this; many of the RPM products have an algorithm for fall risk, and I would love to learn more about how these algorithms are derived and empirical data supporting their role in fall prevention. Looking forward to following this series closely.
I am so happy to see this, it is an issue that needs to be tackled. I am the CEO of a continuum of health services for older adults and we would be glad to participate as this goes forward. All of the interventions we have screened (and there have been many) fall under the heading of "oops, they fell" rather than anything that is preventative. It is so key to anticipate and understand as well as build strength and tools.
We have been conducting a small pilot using the Zibrio balance scale. It provides a fall risk score that allows our therapists to customize a therapy program for residents, readings can be taken throughout the therapy program to document improvement.
Please let everyone know what your findings are.
What a great idea! Being able to assess our own risk may result in more frequent interventions than having to see a doctor or a PT to get an assessment
Have you looked at the NYMBL App? https://nymblscience.com/ I am in no way related to this company.
Tried to send this via your contact us form, but it's not working. I'm reaching out from Camino Mobility we've developed a powered walker with AI computer vision that generates lab-quality gait data diurnal and longitudinally. This new window of data can be used to track stability (we have a proprietary algorithm based on multiple fall risk frameworks that will continue to learn with every step users take and any events detected), detect the early onset of conditions such as musculoskeletal issues, UTIs, and in time even dementia. And make earlier, smaller, more effective interventions. It also enables remote therapeutic monitoring, improved compliance with home exercise plans, and can provide direct coaching to help folk improve their gait and reduce fall risk. Seems a good fit with your Gait or Balance Monitor + Predictive Score + Intervention article. We could also do with some help from your longevity explorers on developing and refining our end user app. Would be good to have an introductory call, please. - see www.CaminoMobility.com. as its a public forum, I wont post my work email. please reach out at hello@caminomobility.com
Thank you.
Jeff Jones
While expensive, the Zibrio Stability Home scale seems to tick some of the boxes for fall risk. I have not purchased nor tried this product. I have not used this product and would like to see some data from someplace other than the company.
"$499.00
Measure and track your balance with the award-winning ZIBRIO Stability Home scale. This scale is a highly sensitive medical device that measures balance and predicts fall risk in a simple 60 second test. All you do is stand as still as you can."
Yes, that is one of the products we are interested in too. :)
The shower is one of the most dangerous places for a fall and I am always worried about it. Two things we have done is we put in a "real" wall grab bar when we remodeled our shower and when we travel we will take a shower floor mat in case the place we are going has a slippery shower floor.
The Altumview Sentinare smart activity sensor has a built-in Fall Risk Assessment tool, which can be done at home. It uses AI technology to monitor the activity of people, collect activity statistics, detect emergencies such as falls, and notify caregivers. To protect privacy, it only displays people as stick figures. It was a CES 2021 Innovation Awards Honoree, and is one of only three fall detection devices in Amazon's Alexa Together urgent response service, with the best Amazon review. Details can be found at www.altumview.ca
Please look into research being done at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA. I recently read an article that they are working on a device that can be worn (not post fall). Don't remember all the details. They are trying to focus on how people trip or slip primarily and train them. There is a video on their website if you search research and falling
Home PT visits seem only to be covered until the patient is deemed ready for outpatient visits. Allowing for continued at home PT visits for fall prevention would make it much more accessible.
Hi Millie- in most areas I believe mobile outpatient PT and OT is available -they come to the patient's home.
A program that is accessible online for free, such as through the AARP Senior Planet live zoom class program, would be nice.