Use of Information Technology for Falls Detection and Prevention in the Elderly

Abstract

This research aims to clarify the arguments in the body of knowledge on IT use in fall prevention among the elderly, synthesize ideas to assist in the delivery of healthcare to prevent falls in older people and further add to the available body of knowledge. An extensive literature search was carried out and the information retrieved from the literature was synthesised into paragraphs using themes to structure the types of information technology used for falls prevention. The different modalities of IT used in falls prevention at the different places of care for each category were explored and inferences were drawn from the structured themes which summarized the major findings. The research found that there is potential ground for a wider use of the forms of IT used in falls prevention in the elderly in various settings and outlined the factors involved in this usage. With further refinements in larger studies, many of these forms of IT would be better explored and acceptance is likely guaranteed provided they are accessible and affordable. The need for IT use in fall prevention in the elderly is unavoidable with the trend in technology and the associated convenience. More work is needed to further define the effects of IT in falls prevention using larger prospective studies that will be more generalizable.