Journal article

Non-Contact Sensor-Based Falls Detection in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Developing a Real-Life Picture

A Borda, C Gilbert, C Said, F Smolenaers, M McGrath, K Gray

Studies in Health Technology and Informatics | IOS PRESS | Published : 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Few studies of sensor-based falls detection devices have monitored older people in their care settings, particularly in Australia. The present investigation addressed this gap by trialling the feasibility and acceptability of a non-contact smart sensor system (NCSSS) to monitor behaviour and detect falls in an Australian residential aged care facility (RACF). METHODS: This study used a mixed methods approach: a) Pilot study implementation at a RACF, b) Post-pilot interviews, c) Analysis and review of results. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Data was collected for four RACF participants over four weeks of the NCSSS pilot. No falls were recorded during the uptime of the system. Numerous fe..

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Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Study participants and carers, staff at the RACF, members of the Study Advisory Board, and staff of Semantrix Pty Ltd. We thank Dr KarenSchool of Health Information Science, University of Victoria, Canada) for permission to adapt her interview guide. This study was funded by the Networked Society Institute (formerly, Institute for a Broadband-enabled Society), The University of Melbourne.