No Need to Fall: A participatory approach to a relational/proactive model NHS Lanarkshire

People who draw on support and care have some of the highest risk of falls, but they can struggle to access proactive approaches to reducing future risk and harm. 

Research carried out during phase 1 of this project found that people who draw on support and care feel falls are not an inevitable part of ageing, but also blame themselves when they occur. They avoid using technology that could help due to negative associations with ageing. These feelings are compounded by having lower digital literacy. The research also found that those who provide formal support and care are often uncertain about what to do in the event of a fall. 

Phase 2 (testing ideas) of this project will involve two proactive elements: addressing daily care and support activity; and enabling alignment of response when something does happen. 

Working with people and those from whom they draw support and care, both formally and informally, the project team will co-design and co-produce relational/proactive technology enabled tools. They will take into consideration accessibility, data security and digital inclusion.

The project team will use the opportunity of the roll out of a new digital alarm receiving platform to early adopters in Scotland in early 2024 to co-produce a digital support tool that helps responders in the event of a fall. It will support basic assessment and record the context of the fall.

Interactive digital prototypes will be built, along with illustrative scenarios based on research with people who draw on support and care, and those who provide it. 

Contact information

For more information about this project, please contact Ana Talbot, Consultant in Older Adult Medicine and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Glasgow.