Abstract
This research proposes a strategy for applying support objects—equipment, tools, and even furniture/environment from which humans can receive reaction force through their hands—for fall prevention in the elderly. This paper presents an assessment example of support objects based on balance recovery characteristics and a discussion regarding their application according to the assessment results. The balance recovery characteristics depend on the direction in which reaction force can be obtained based on the shape of the support object and direction in which the force is easily exerted on the hand. Evaluation indices for assessing the height and shape of nonportable support objects and determining a position of the tip on the ground of a cane, a typical portable support object, in the anterior direction are briefly introduced based on the authors’ previous works. The strategy for the application of support objects utilizing the evaluation indices is proposed; better use of support objects, their locations, new-shaped ones, and support devices with a new design concept are discussed and introduced based on the values of the calculated indices according to the type/usage of the support objects.
Highlights
In developed countries, the population is aging
For nonportable support objects, such as handrails, tables, and walls, we proposed an assessment method for environments that include them based on balance recovery characteristics [8]
This paper proposes a strategy for the application of support objects for fall prevention in the elderly based on our previous works [8,9]
Summary
The population is aging. In Japan, the proportion of population aged 65 and over reached 28.1% of the total population in 2018, and it is expected to increase to 38.4% by 2065 [1].It has been reported that the fall of the elderly during walking can be fatal. In the field of mechanical engineering, there have been some reports of research and the development of devices that support walking [2,3,4]. Many of these devices have been developed based on the concept of enabling the elderly who depend on support to walk (e.g., the elderly who suffer from general paralysis or paraplegia). These are functionally excessive and expensive for the elderly who are relatively healthy and can walk with some support. For support of this elderly, it is necessary to establish a walking support method that is simpler, cheaper, and independent of the support of caregivers
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