Advanced Technologies for Fall Prevention in Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care: Literature review
Wu, Jing (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536286
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536286
Tiivistelmä
Background: Falls among older adults are a leading cause of injury and healthcare costs. In long term care (LTC) settings, falls are especially prevalent: roughly 40–45% of nursing home residents fall annually. Technology-based interventions offer new strategies to reduce these falls.
Objective: This review evaluates the effectiveness of technological interventions in preventing falls in LTC facilities.
Methods: We conducted a literature search for studies of technology-based fall prevention in nursing homes and similar care environments. Eligible sources included trials and observational studies of devices or systems . Data were extracted on fall incidence, detection accuracy, and implementation outcomes. Because of study heterogeneity, findings were synthesized qualitatively.
Results: The included studies reported mixed but generally positive outcomes. Wearable sensors and integrated alarm systems were described as improving detection and enabling faster responses. Early-stage solutions (e.g., mobile robots or camera-based monitoring) showed potential for enhanced supervision but remained mostly pilot-tested. In contrast, simple bed/chair pressure alarms were often linked to false alarms and limited impact on fall rates. Overall, evidence of reduced falls was inconsistent, and usability and workflow integration influenced perceived benefits.
Conclusion: Fall-prevention technology may support safer care through timely monitoring and alerts, but effectiveness depends on reliability, user acceptance, and fit with daily routines. Future research should evaluate real-world impact on fall outcomes and address implementation issues such as training, privacy, and cost.
Objective: This review evaluates the effectiveness of technological interventions in preventing falls in LTC facilities.
Methods: We conducted a literature search for studies of technology-based fall prevention in nursing homes and similar care environments. Eligible sources included trials and observational studies of devices or systems . Data were extracted on fall incidence, detection accuracy, and implementation outcomes. Because of study heterogeneity, findings were synthesized qualitatively.
Results: The included studies reported mixed but generally positive outcomes. Wearable sensors and integrated alarm systems were described as improving detection and enabling faster responses. Early-stage solutions (e.g., mobile robots or camera-based monitoring) showed potential for enhanced supervision but remained mostly pilot-tested. In contrast, simple bed/chair pressure alarms were often linked to false alarms and limited impact on fall rates. Overall, evidence of reduced falls was inconsistent, and usability and workflow integration influenced perceived benefits.
Conclusion: Fall-prevention technology may support safer care through timely monitoring and alerts, but effectiveness depends on reliability, user acceptance, and fit with daily routines. Future research should evaluate real-world impact on fall outcomes and address implementation issues such as training, privacy, and cost.