Let's learn about how we can prevent falls and keep our family older neighbors safe!
Ms. Mayor, what is fall prevention? And what does it have to do with my family?
Great question Kids! Lets take a look at a recent accident that happened at your classmate Ben's home, this is a classic example of a preventable fall.
Oh! Its 10 am, breakfast should be downstairs! Gail (Ben's mother) should be coming to walk me down the stairs any minute...
This is Ben's grandmother, she is 74 years old. She is not as flexibleand careful as she used to be.Watch carefully what happenswhen she is left unsupervised.
3 DAYS AGO...
10:00
Hmmm.. I'm getting hungry, maybe Gail forgot. I'm going to go walk down myself, surely I can do it by myself. I know its been years but I'll be careful this time.
10:36
I should have brought my walking stick... My legs are aching a bit.
A big 'accident' is about to happen...
Ben's grandmother fell down two flights of stairs onto the first floor!
BEN! Call 911, grandma has fallen!
Is grandma hurt badly?
Ben's grandma suffered from head trauma and a fractured arm because of this tumble.
For the elderly, a fall is a life-changing and potentially life-ending event. 1 in 5 older individuals will suffer from an 'accident', when it could have been preventable!
So, that's an example of what a fall is and how it impacts our families and community!
That is so sad! And how can we stop these accidents from happening?? I don't want my family members to fall!
Another great question! Now let's take a look at how change-makers (hardworking engineers researchers) create ways to help defeat and prevent falls for all!
University of Illinois at Chicago
Here at UIC, Professor Karen Troy is working with a dedicated team of researchers to explore innovative ways of keeping older adults safe. They study how exercises and advanced technologies, like the ActiveStep system, can make a real difference in preventing falls, ensuring that our golden years are filled with strength, balance, and confidence.
This high-tech system challenges individuals prone to falls with tasks that mimic real-life situations, teaching them how to react quickly and stay on their feet. It's like having a virtual coach to keep you strong and steady for the real deal.
They use ActiveStep with customized technology to create a personalized fall prevention training experience.
Our task-specific training protocol involves individuals in the training group practicing forward-directed stepping responses to avoid falling after experiencing postural disturbances delivered by a treadmill. These disturbances simulated a trip and required participants to respond with specific stepping movements to prevent a fall.
Significantly fewer fallsTraining group successHighly significant differenceImproved trunk flexionLogistic regression sensitivityTask-specific training efficacyPotential for fall preventionPromising safety intervention
The results revealed a remarkable reduction in the number of falls among women who underwent the task-specific training compared to a control group that received no training.
Her other research shows many other accessible ways we can keep our community safe.Let's explore these options!
Mabel uses her cane in public spaces in order to maintain stability and prevent falls. With each confident step, the cane acts as a reliable support, allowing Lisa to navigate uneven surfaces and stairs with ease.
Paul uses his walker that provides as an essential support for his arms. Paul not only prioritizes his safety but also maintains an active and engaged lifestyle, demonstrating how a simple tool can make a significant difference in preventing accidents.
And Ben's grandmother now uses a stair lift! The stair lift has become an essential addition, ensuring that Ben's grandmother can access different levels of her residence effortlessly. This adaptive technology not only promotes her independence but also eliminates the challenges posed by staircases
Professor Troy's research in new solutions and current technology makes her an active contributor to enhancing our community's well-being by using her research as effective way to make a change!
Wow! Professor Troy is amazing! I wish I could meet her and actually watch her do her research!
Same! I also think what she did was really cool! I'm going to tell my mom all about this and even try to help grandma out!
I'm glad you guys learned something! It's really important to spread this information so we can take care of our community!Speaking of which, I want you guys to meet someone!
PROFESSOR TROY!
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