The SCAN Foundation

Falling in the home or in a care facility all too often leads to injuries or hospitalization for older people and the ultimate loss of independence, requiring costly long-term services and supports. Preventing falls can prevent injuries and assure a continued independent lifestyle. New technology, such as the use of electronic sensors, offers hope for reducing the rate of falls and injuries, according to a November 7, 2009 story in the New York Times. “More than one-third of people ages 65 or older fall each year,” the story said. “About one fall in 10 results in a serious injury, like hip fracture. Roughly 20 percent of older people who suffer a hip fracture die within a year.” Advances in technology bring new understanding of how and why falls occur, and this could lead to better measures for prevention. Research scientists “are beginning to apply the digital tools of low-cost wireless sensors in carpets, clothing and rooms to monitor an older person’s walking and activity,” the story said. “The continuous measurement and greater precision afforded by simple computing devices, researchers say, promise to deliver new insights on risk factors and tailored prevention measures.”