Patient Partner, Older Adult Wearable Technology Falls Prevention Research Project

The use of wearable technology, such as hip protectors, by older adults has been shown to prevent falls and improve the quality of life in Fraser Health. A team at Simon Fraser University is seeking two patient partners to join their research project as they seek to learn from that experience and expand its use to other areas across Canada.

Open to: Patient partners in Fraser Health communities

Lead Organization or Department

Simon Fraser University

Aim

Assess what made Fraser Health so successful at using hip protectors and use those strategies in other long-term care homes to encourage the use of hip protectors. Identify user preferences in wearable head protective gear to develop and evaluate the protective value and wear ability of new and existing head protective gear. The patient partners will share their experience with falls and experience with wearable technology to help inform the project and provide important things to consider as the team continues to refine its research.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.

Eligibility

Open to patient partners in Fraser Health Communities with experience in:

• Long-term care, as a resident, family member or caregiver
• Problems of falls or falls-related injuries or those who are interested in this subject
• Telling their story and working in a team environment
• Some familiarity with health research is an asset, but not required

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2
• Date/time: To be determined with patient partners
• Location: Via telephone, and in-person
• Commitment: Twice a month, 2-3 hours, for up to one year

Reimbursement

Out of pocket expenses (mileage, transit fares, parking) will be reimbursed. In addition, compensation will be discussed with the patient partner on an individual basis.

Background

The research team is investigating what contributed to Fraser Health’s relative success in implementing hip protector use in their long-term care facilities. We hope to use this information to improve use in other long-term care facilities in Ontario. Secondly, we are interested in finding out user preferences for wearable head protective gear (for example, what types of styles do wearers/care givers like and not like?). Our team is made up of researchers, industry representatives, and caregivers from Simon Fraser University, Fraser Health Authority, the University of Waterloo, the University of Manitoba, the University of Ottawa, Schlegel Villages, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, and Blue Tree Medical.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Jami Brown
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Fraser Valley
604.510.0449
jbrown@bcpsqc.ca