Development of a mobile application to screen and manage fall risks in older people

Abstract

Objective

Falls and related injuries are known to be the major health problem leading to disability and mortality among older adults. Identification and management of fall risks aimed to prevent falling is considered to be essential. The aim of this study was to develop a mobile application for screening and management of fall risks based for older adults.

Method and materials

First, we determined product features based on literature reviews. Then we asked 10 experts to assess the importance of capabilities. The application was designed in Android environment based on the STEADI toolkit. Finally, the usability and satisfaction of the application were assessed among 30 older adults by means of a usability questionnaire, and the final version was modified.

Results

The experts rated the majority of feasibility features to be important. The application consisted of falls risk self-assessment, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test to measure individual fall risks, fall prevention education, and suggestions for training based on the individuals' level of fall risk among older adults. The results of the usability assessment showed that the users were satisfied with the application, 8.83 out of 10.

Conclusion

The mobile application can be used to screen and manage fall risks in older adults. It may help health providers to identify older adults at low, moderate, and high risks of falls provide education and training to minimise falls and fall-related injuries.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Falls are a major health problem in older people. A great proportion of falls and falls related injuries are preventable.

• Given the availability and accessibility of various mobile health application and the increasing mobile device usage among older adults, mobile application can be used as a platform for delivering fall prevention programmes such as education and exercise training.

• The mobile application may be a valuable tool in the fall prevention and their consequences either in old adult.

Keywords:

• Fall risk
• screening
• prevention
• aging
• E-health

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This research is extracted from a part of a dissertation project with the code number of 9612228374 at the Social Determinants of Health Research Center of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The researchers want to thank all participants in this study as well as the Research Deputy of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences for the support of this project. Parts of this study were conducted within the context of the Centre for Ageing and Supportive Environments, CASE, at Lund University, Sweden.