Project Abstract
The project aims are to assess the feasibility of using wearable devices as a means of spatial data collection with older adults, with a focus on falls.
Reducing injury is a key goal of the Safer Christchurch Strategy and falls, particularly by those over 65, have been identified as the top injury risk area. This project assesses the feasibility of collecting spatial data to assist in falls prevention programmes. There is a lack of data on where falls happen which impedes understanding of which kinds of urban environment lead to falling and have a negative impact on the health, wellbeing and mobility of older adults. GPS enabled wearable devices offer potential to address this data gap but there are limitations in the use of such technologies with an older population. We propose a scoping project in order to make recommendations for the potential of using wearable devices to collect spatial information regarding the mobility behaviour (including falling) of older adults, which is crucial in an ageing society
