Feasibility and Acceptability of the Technology-Based Fall Risk Assessments for Older Adults

Abstract Promising technologies, which are simple, portable, quick, non-invasive, and inexpensive, may open new horizons on fall risk assessments and provide important information for older adults. We used a mixed-methods approach to examine the feasibility and acceptability of technology-based fall risk assessments, including the BTrackS Balance System, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, and activity monitoring devices among older adults. Data were collected via a Qualtrics survey and interviews. The acceptability was measured by the Senior Technology Acceptance (STA) and semi-structured interviews with 15 participants. The STA consists of four domains with 14 items, and the semi-structured interview includes three main questions related to experiences about balance performance tests, body composition, and activity monitoring. One hundred twenty-four community-dwelling older adults completed the online survey, and 15 older adults participated in the interviews. The majority of participants were female, and 72% had no history of falls. Race and ethnicity were 17% Hispanic, 7% African Americans, and 3% Asian Americans. About 7% had COVID-19 positive, 31% reported fear of COVID, and 14.5% were afraid of losing their life to COVID. The word-of-mouth strategy and key person approach were used and had an incredible impact on the recruitment process. None of the participants had ever had their fall risk and fear of falling assessed before agreeing to participate in this study. The technology-based fall risk assessments were feasible and acceptable. About 78% of participants liked the idea of using technology to assess falls risk, and 79% agreed that using technology would enhance their effectiveness in daily activities.

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Intergenerational Practice in the Community—What Does the Community Think?

Social Sciences ◽

10.3390/socsci10100374 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 374

Author(s):

Gail Kenning ◽

Nicole Ee ◽

Ying Xu ◽

Billy L. Luu ◽

Stephanie A. Ward ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Young Children ◽

Online Survey ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Intergenerational Programs ◽

Cognitive Limitations ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Socially Isolated ◽

The Many

The many changes that occur in the lives of older people put them at an increased risk of being socially isolated and lonely. Intergenerational programs for older adults and young children can potentially address this shortfall, because of the perceived benefit from generations interacting. This study explores whether there is an appetite in the community for intergenerational programs for community dwelling older adults. An online survey was distributed via social media, research team networks, and snowballing recruitment with access provided via QR code or hyperlink. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with potential participants of a pilot intergenerational program planned for the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, Australia in 2020. The interviews were thematically analyzed. Over 250 people completed the survey, and 21 interviews took place with older adults (10) and parents of young children (11). The data showed that participants were all in favor of intergenerational programs, but there were different perceptions about who benefits most and how. The study highlighted considerations to be addressed in the development of effective and sustainable intergenerational programs. For example, accessing people in the community who are most socially isolated and lonely was identified as a primary challenge. More evidence-based research is needed to support involvement of different cohorts, such as those who are frail, or living with physical or cognitive limitations.

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Robot-Delivered Cognitive Stimulation Games for Older Adults

ACM Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction ◽

10.1145/3451882 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Norina Gasteiger ◽

Ho Seok Ahn ◽

Chiara Gasteiger ◽

Christopher Lee ◽

Jongyoon Lim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Technology Acceptance ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cognitive Stimulation ◽

Health Needs ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

Age Related ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Cognitive stimulation games delivered on robots may be able to improve cognitive functioning and delay decline in older adults. However, little is known about older adults’ in-depth opinions of robot-delivered games, as current research primarily focuses on technical development and one-off use. This article explores the usability, acceptability, and perceptions of community-dwelling older adults towards cognitive games delivered on a robot that incorporated movable interactive blocks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants at the end of a 12-week cognitive stimulation games intervention delivered entirely on robots. Participants were 10 older adults purposively sampled from two retirement villages. A framework analysis approach was used to code data to predefined themes related to technology acceptance (perceived benefits, satisfaction, and preference), and usability (effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction). Results indicated that cognitive games delivered on a robot may be a valuable addition to existing cognitive stimulation activities. The robot was considered easy to use and useful in improving cognitive functioning. Future developments should incorporate interactive gaming tools, the use of social anthropomorphic robots, contrasting colour schemes to accommodate macular degeneration, and cultural-specific imagery and language. This will help cater to the preferences and age-related health needs of older adults, to ultimately enhance usability and acceptability.

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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Falls among Egyptian Elderly Attending Primary Health Centers in Suez Governorate

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcab095 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Abeer Alsayed Ali ◽

Samia Ahmed Abdul-Rahman ◽

Hoda MF Wahba ◽

Ghada Essam Al-Din Amin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Medical Center ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Assistive Device

Abstract Objectives To estimate the prevalence and probable risk factors of falls among a sample of community-dwelling older adults in Suez Governorate, Egypt. Design A cross-sectional comparative study. Setting and Participants Study included 300 older adults (both men and women) recruited from 3 primary healthcare centers, all located in Suez Governorate, Egypt (Alsalam medical center, Mubarak medical center and Alsabbah medical center). Methods All participants were questioned about their fall history in the precedent year and were assessed using: Structured interview questionnaire and physical examination, Fall Risk Assessment Tool, Basic and instrumental activities of daily living, Timed Up and Go test, Single leg stance test, handgrip strength measurement, Mini-Mental Status Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale-15. Participants were categorized as faller and non-faller groups according to their fall history in the precedent year and were then compared as regard common fall risk factors (intrinsic and extrinsic). Results Prevalence of falls among the studied populations was 29%. Women fell more frequently than men (accounting for 64.4% and 35.6% of fallers, p = 0.01). Most falls occurred indoors (58.3%). A significant association was found between fall history and age, sex, muscle weakness, depression, urinary incontinence, IHD, visual impairment, fear of falling, use of assistive device, postural hypotension, and polypharmacy. Conclusion Prevalence of falls in community-dwelling elderly in Suez Governorate is 29%. Identification of factors significantly affecting elderly falls can help in planning public health policies and programs for prevention of falls.

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Comparison of Lateral Perturbation-Induced Step Training and Hip Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Balance and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glab017 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mark W Rogers ◽

Robert A Creath ◽

Vicki Gray ◽

Janice Abarro ◽

Sandy McCombe Waller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Step Length ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Muscle Strengthening ◽

Hip Muscle ◽

Hip Abduction ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background This factorial, assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled study compared the effects of perturbation-induced step training (lateral waist-pulls), hip muscle strengthening, and their combination, on balance performance, muscle strength, and prospective falls among older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 training groups. Induced step training (IST, n = 25) involved 43 progressive perturbations. Hip abduction strengthening (HST, n = 25) utilized progressive resistance exercises. Combined training (CMB, n = 25) included IST and HST, and the control performed seated flexibility/relaxation exercises (SFR, n = 27). The training involved 36 sessions for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the number of recovery steps and first step length, and maximum hip abduction torque. Fall frequency during 12 months after training was determined. Results Overall, the number of recovery steps was reduced by 31% and depended upon the first step type. IST and CMB increased the rate of more stable single lateral steps pre- and post-training than HST and SFR who used more multiple crossover and sequential steps. The improved rate of lateral steps for CMB exceeded the control (CMB/SFR rate ratio 2.68). First step length was unchanged, and HST alone increased hip torque by 25%. Relative to SFR, the fall rate ratios (falls/person/year) [95% confidence interval] were CMB 0.26 [0.07–0.90], IST 0.44 [0.18–1.08], and HST 0.30 (0.10–0.91). Conclusions Balance performance through stepping was best improved by combining perturbation and strength training and not strengthening alone. The interventions reduced future falls by 56%–74% over the control. Lateral balance perturbation training may enhance traditional programs for fall prevention.

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Physical Restraint of Older Adults at Home: Preliminary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2380 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 683-683

Author(s):

Asa Inagaki ◽

Ayumi Igarashi ◽

Maiko Noguchi-Watanabe ◽

Mariko Sakka ◽

Chie Fukui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Online Survey ◽

Physical Restraint ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Physical Restraints ◽

Care Nurse ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Home Care Nurse ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

At Home

Abstract Our study aimed to explore the prevalence and factors of physical restraints among frail to dependent older adults living at home. We conducted an online survey to ask about the physical/mental conditions, demographics, service utilization, and physical restraints of community-dwelling older adults. Either home care nurse or care managers who were responsible for the older adult answered the survey that were conducted at baseline and one month later. We obtained data from 1,278 individuals. Physical restraint was reported for 53 (4.1%) participants. Multiple logistic regression revealed the factors associated with physical restraints at home: having been restrained at baseline, having pneumonia or heart failure, receiving home bathing, or using rental assistive devices were associated with physical restraints at one month. The findings could be used to promote discussion about which services prevent physical restraints and what we should do to support clients and their family to stay at home safely.

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ICT and sustainable tourism development: an innovative perspective

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology ◽

10.1108/jhtt-12-2012-0034 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 2-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Alisha Ali ◽

Andrew J. Frew

Keyword(s):

Technology Acceptance ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sustainable Tourism ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Sustainable Tourism Development ◽

Stakeholder Relationships ◽

Tourism Product ◽

Electronic Distribution ◽

Information And Communication

Purpose – The aim of this research is to foreground information and communication technology (ICT) as an innovative approach for sustainable tourism (ST) development of destinations. ICT is the technology required for information processing which facilitates data processing, information sharing, communication, searching and selection. This paper concentrates on the Abernathy and Clark model and its usefulness in applying ICT as innovative in managing ST. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was administered to destination managers and to eTourism experts. Destination managers were selected as they were identified as the person responsible for the overall management of a Destination Management Organisation. eTourism experts were identified as someone who possesses special expertise, knowledge and skills on ICT applications to tourism and offered expertise on which ranged from such areas as electronic distribution, recommender systems, user-generated content, online communities, mobile technology, technology acceptance, tourism networks and Web 2.0. This was followed by semi-structured interviews. Findings – These ICT tools were found to be innovative for information management and distribution for critical decision-making. Innovation was fostered through the use of ICT for ST by leading to a better understanding of the tourism product, monitoring, measuring and evaluating, forecasting trends, developing partnerships and engaging and supporting stakeholder relationships. ICT would provide novel ways of approaching marketing, energy monitoring, waste management, and communication for destinations. Originality/value – This research is important in demonstrating the value that technology can have to ST and further develops the work on tourism innovation theory.

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Older Adults’ Motivations for Participating in a “Tune-Up” of Their Driving Skills: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464820982413 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 073346482098241

Author(s):

Ruheena Sangrar ◽

Kyung Joon Mun ◽

Lauren E. Griffith ◽

Lori Letts ◽

Brenda Vrkljan

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Stakeholder Analysis ◽

Later Life ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Older Drivers ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Driver Training ◽

Near Misses ◽

Driving Experience

Driver training has the potential to keep older adults safe behind-the-wheel for longer, yet there is limited evidence describing factors that influence their willingness to participate in training. Focus groups with community-dwelling older drivers ( n = 23; 70–90 years) and semi-structured interviews with driving instructors ( n = 6) and occupational therapists ( n = 5) were conducted to identify these factors. Qualitative descriptive analyses highlighted how self-awareness of behind-the-wheel abilities in later life can influence an older adult’s motivation to participate in driver training, as well as their willingness to discuss their behaviors. Collision-involvement and near-misses prompted participants to reflect on their driving abilities and their openness to feedback. Participants’ preferences for learning contexts that use a strengths-based approach and validate the driving experience of older drivers, while providing feedback on behind-the-wheel performance, were raised. Older driver training initiatives that consider the needs of the aging population in their design can promote road safety and community mobility.

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Multisensory integration involved in the body perception of community-dwelling older adults

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81121-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

M. Hide ◽

Y. Ito ◽

N. Kuroda ◽

M. Kanda ◽

W. Teramoto

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Multisensory Integration ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

The Body ◽

Risk Of Falling ◽

Body Perception ◽

Rubber Hand ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

AbstractThis study investigates how the multisensory integration in body perception changes with increasing age, and whether it is associated with older adults’ risk of falling. For this, the rubber hand illusion (RHI) and rubber foot illusion (RFI) were used. Twenty-eight community-dwelling older adults and 25 university students were recruited. They viewed a rubber hand or foot that was stimulated in synchrony or asynchrony with their own hidden hand or foot. The illusion was assessed by using a questionnaire, and measuring the proprioceptive drift and latency. The Timed Up and Go Test was used to classify the older adults into lower and higher fall-risk groups. No difference was observed in the RHI between the younger and older adults. However, several differences were observed in the RFI. Specifically, the older adults with a lower fall-risk hardly experienced the illusion, whereas those with a higher fall-risk experienced it with a shorter latency and no weaker than the younger adults. These results suggest that in older adults, the mechanism of multisensory integration for constructing body perception can change depending on the stimulated body parts, and that the risk of falling is associated with multisensory integration.

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Feasibility Pilot: Problem Adaptation Therapy for Emotion Regulation in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1585 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 411-411

Author(s):

Julia Sheffler ◽

Melissa Meynadasy ◽

Dimitris Kiosses ◽

Natalie Sachs-Ericsson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Paired Samples ◽

Physical Problems ◽

Intervention Protocol ◽

Path Condition ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Emotion regulation (ER) difficulties in older adults are associated with increased depression and decreased resiliency to stressful life events. In general, maladaptive ER is a transdiagnostic risk factor for a range of psychological and physical problems across the lifespan. Thus, interventions targeting ER may be valuable in reducing risk for a range of late-life pathologies. The present study evaluated and adapted an existing ER-focused treatment (i.e., Problem Adaptation Therapy (PATH)) for community older adults. We completed a small clinical pilot study to assess the feasibility of the adapted protocol and initial signals of effect of the intervention on ER, depression, and resiliency. Participants were recruited using an online survey, which was used to then identify participants scoring in the highest and lowest quartiles for ER. Individuals in the lowest ER quartile (N=27) were randomly assigned to the PATH condition or a physical health education (PHET) control condition. Of the 27 participants in the low ER group, four participants (3 PATH, 1 PHET) dropped out of the intervention. A paired samples t-tests revealed significant decreases in depressive symptoms, significant increases in self-reported ER skill, and improvements in resiliency (all ps<.05) for the PATH condition. For the PHET condition, only significant increases in self-reported ER skill (t(12) = -2.68, p = .020) were observed. In sum, the intervention protocol proved feasibility and demonstrated initial signals of effect in the expected directions. Future studies will examine mechanisms of action and the efficacy of the adapted PATH protocol.

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