New Australian invention can predict falls among older people with 75% accuracy

Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Mark Moran Group (MMG) have partnered to help older Australians benefit from the latest breakthroughs in medical research including the FallScreen+ app.

This exciting new alliance between NeuRA and MMG provides unique opportunities to deliver ground-breaking health and wellness innovations to help older Australians live better and healthier for longer.

The first stage of the partnership includes the development and rollout of a new app-based wellbeing assessment tool, which features more than 30 years of NeuRA’s research involving about 20,000 participants aimed at maximising the physical and psychological wellbeing of older people.

The FallScreen+ app tests people aged over 60 years for health conditions that are vital to their independence and wellbeing.

Approximately 30 per cent of people who suffer a fall-related hip fracture die within 12 months.

“FallScreen+ is unique because it screens issues early on, flags problem areas and makes recommendations for effective treatment strategies to address potential health problems,” said senior NeuRA researcher, Associate Professor Kim Delbaere. 

“This tool will help identify the specific needs of an individual and based on the data it collects, it will advise whether they need to be referred to clinicians or allied health professionals.  For example, our trials have shown this tool can predict falls in older Australians with an accuracy of over 75 per cent,” she said. 

The tool will have significant implications for the aged care sector because it will enable clinicians to detect problem areas and put in place preventative strategies prior to older people experiencing a significant deterioration in their health.

It will be trialled at MMG facilities to measure the wellbeing and health status of residents. The tool will then be made available via app stores for download for those who work in the aged care sector, such as physiotherapists, psychologists, fall prevention clinicians and researchers.

“Ageing is to be celebrated and is nothing to fear. Prevention allows a continuation of quality. By making breakthroughs with NeuRA and saving one life, or potentially tens of thousands of lives, we are creating a future where older Australians will continue their interests, their passions, their health and being celebrated in their community,” MMG Co-Founder Evette Moran said.

“The FallsScreen+ app is a game changer. One day we will look back and ask how older Australian’s could have aged safely without it. We’re at a point where the technology is now available thanks to NeuRA. By working with NeuRA we’re doing our bit to make sure it’s available to older Australians. It’s time for us all to step up and bring about change and work together to meet individual and collective aspirations. Being old you should have access to the best,” MMG Co-Founder Mark Moran said.

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