VMCH JOINS AUSTRALIAN-FIRST AGED CARE FALLS PREVENTION STUDY

VMCH is taking part in a multi-million-dollar research project aimed at predicting and preventing falls among older people in aged care.

Falls are a major health concern, with around one in three older Australians having had a fall in the past 12 months.

The rate is even higher in residential aged care, with 30% to 50% of residents falling each year.

VMCH, a Catholic, for-purpose aged and disability services organisation, has partnered with falls detection technology provider HomeGuardian and researchers from Deakin University for the three-year study, backed by a $2.65 million Federal Government grant.

The Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grant program supports short-term collaborative research projects for products that will “solve problems for industry and deliver real outcomes”.

HomeGuardian’s Artificial Intelligence devices detect when something is wrong (such as a fall) and automatically escalate alerts within two seconds.

The funding will allow VMCH to deploy more than $1 million worth of the devices plus support to monitor falls across its residential aged care sites to help identify and enhance preventative measures.

The investment is estimated to be valued at around $10 million.

“We are absolutely thrilled to play a key role in such an important initiative,” VMCH Chief Information Officer Maria Paz says.

“This grant will allow VMCH to continue to be a leading innovator in the adoption and development of technology solutions, through industry and research partnerships, to positively impact the broader sector.

“This technology has the potential to not only help reduce hospital admissions and injuries, but also save lives.

“Even when falls don’t cause injury, they can trigger a loss of confidence and an ongoing fear of falling.

“This technology would help boost independence that is so important to maintain as people age, plus provide peace of mind for families and carers.”

Using predictive indicators to reduce the incidence of falls would make the HomeGuardian device the first product in the global market to provide this functionality, increasing their competitiveness in a $21 trillion industry.

The study will begin soon and run until December 2025.