A NEW screening test has been launched which can predict with 75 per cent accuracy the risk of someone over 60 having a fall - and recommend ways to prevent one.
The Australian invention will be trialed at a number of aged care facilities.
Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Mark Moran Group (MMG) have partnered to help older Australians benefit from the latest breakthroughs in medical research.
The first stage of the partnership includes the development and rollout of a new app-based wellbeing assessment tool FallScreen+, which tests people aged over 60 years for health conditions that are vital to their independence and wellbeing.
Around a third of people who suffer a fall-related hip fracture die within 12 months. In 2015 - 2016 there were nearly 19,000 hip fractures in Australia with 93 per cent of these the result of a fall half of which occurred in the patient's own home.
FallScreen+ features nine tests which are used to calculate an individual's overall falls risk and identify cognitive and physical impairments that could be treated.
The tests include those for trip hazard identification, knee extension strength, reaction time, the ability to draw an outline of a shape with a device connected to the hips and a well being questionnaire.
The tool is designed for health professionals in the aged care sector including physiotherapists, psychologies, falls prevention clinicians and researchers.
The app combines 30 years of research from the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre at NeuRA.
"FallScreen+ is unique because it screens issues early on, flags problem areas and makes recommendations for effective treatment strategies to address potential health problems," said senior NeuRA researcher, Associate Professor Kim Delbaere.
"This tool will help identify the specific needs of an individual and based on the data it collects, it will advise whether they need to be referred to clinicians or allied health professionals. For example, our trials have shown this tool can predict falls in older Australians with an accuracy of over 75 per cent," she said.
The tool will be trialed at MMG facilities to measure the wellbeing and health status of residents. The tool will then be made available via app stores for download for those who work in the aged care sector.
"Ageing is to be celebrated and is nothing to fear. Prevention allows a continuation of quality. By making breakthroughs with NeuRA and saving one life, or potentially tens of thousands of lives, we are creating a future where older Australians will continue their interests, their passions, their health and being celebrated in their community," MMG Co-Founder Evette Moran said.
Falls facts:
- Falls are a major health care problem for older people; one in three people over 65 years fall one or more times each year
- Falls can lead to injuries from cuts and bruises to dislocations, fractures and traumatic brain injury
- 17 per cent of emergency department presentations in people age 70 plus are due to falls
- After hospitalisation 10 per cent of patients become first-time residents of long-term care facilities
- 30 per cent of people who suffer a fall-related hip fracture die within the following 12 months
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Eileen Wood
I'm a senior news journalist at The Senior newspaper, the leading publication bringing targeted news on issues affecting older Australians. We cover NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, SA and WA. If you have a story idea I would love to hear it. You can email me: eileen.wood@thesenior.com.au or phone The Senior 02-4355-5000, mob. 0487 495 805
I'm a senior news journalist at The Senior newspaper, the leading publication bringing targeted news on issues affecting older Australians. We cover NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, SA and WA. If you have a story idea I would love to hear it. You can email me: eileen.wood@thesenior.com.au or phone The Senior 02-4355-5000, mob. 0487 495 805
