ABOUT

Falls among older people are a pressing health concern, often leading to severe injuries and a decline in independence. The Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) has set forth a position statement that presents a robust framework for mitigating fall risks in the elderly through exercise, emphasising the importance of balance-challenging activities and tailored exercise programmes.

In this context, integrating technology like the Tiny Tablet touchscreen activity table by Inspired Inspirations offers a novel approach to complement these strategies, enhancing engagement and effectiveness in fall prevention.

The ESSA’s position statement underscores exercise as a crucial intervention for preventing falls in older adults.

It highlights the efficacy of balance-challenging activities and the need for individualised exercise programmes, especially for community-dwelling older people.

This proactive approach is vital in reducing the incidence and impact of falls, which can lead to physical injuries, fear of falling, and a reduced quality of life.

Here we will discuss the use of Tiny Tablet touch screen activity tables in assisting with this mission.

FALL PREVENTION

Apart from the obvious need to prevent falls for the health, confidence, mental welfare and daily lives of the older people in our communities, the Kings Fund have created an in-depth report on the costs and challenges also associated.

The King’s Fund report on the system-wide costs of falls in older people in Torbay provides detailed insights into the economic impact of falls among the elderly. Key findings from the report include:

• Falls cost the NHS more than £2 billion per year.
• One in three people aged over 65, and half of those aged over 80, fall at least once a year.
• The costs for hospital, community, and social care services for each patient who fell were almost four times as much in the 12 months after admission for a fall as the costs of the admission itself.
• The most dramatic cost increase post-fall was in community care (160%), compared to a 37% increase in social care costs and a 35% increase in acute hospital care costs.
• Falls patients accounted for slightly more than 1% of Torbay’s over-65 population, but their care accounted for 4% of the annual inpatient acute hospital spending and 4% of the local adult social care budget.

These findings underscore the significant financial burden falls in the elderly impose on healthcare systems, emphasising the need for effective fall prevention strategies.

Source: Kingsfund.org.uk 

STIMULATE THE BRAIN

People recovering from a stroke can still experience three primary outcomes of play: sensation, relaxation and reminiscence ALL of which can be achieved through Residents interaction with an Inspired Inspirations touch screen table.

Role of Technology in Enhancing Exercise Regimes

Integrating technology like the Tiny Tablet can significantly complement traditional exercise strategies. This innovative tool offers engaging, interactive, and adaptable activities tailored for older people. By blending technology with exercise, it’s possible to address various aspects of fall prevention more effectively.

Enhanced Engagement and Motivation:

Traditional exercise regimes can sometimes be perceived as monotonous or daunting, especially by older people. The Tiny Tablet introduces an element of fun and engagement through interactive games and activities. This approach can significantly increase motivation and adherence to exercise programs.

When people are mentally stimulated and enjoy what they are doing, they are more likely to commit to regular physical activity, which is crucial for fall prevention.

Personalisation of Exercise Programs:

Technology enables the customisation of exercise regimes to fit individual preferences and needs. The Tiny Tablet can store user data and preferences, allowing for tailored activities that suit different physical abilities and interests. This personalisation ensures that the exercises are not only effective but also safe for each person, catering to their specific risk factors for falls.

Social Interaction and Community Building:

Exercise regimes, when combined with technology like the Tiny Tablet, can foster social interaction and a sense of community among older people. Group activities facilitated by the tablet can lead to increased social engagement, combating feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are often associated with a higher risk of falls.

Remote Access and Telehealth Integration:

In the era of digital health, technology like the Tiny Tablet can facilitate remote access to exercise programs and virtual services. Older people can receive guidance and support from health professionals without the need to travel, making it more convenient to adhere to exercise regimes. This aspect is particularly beneficial for those with mobility issues or who live in remote areas.

Cognitive Stimulation with the Tiny Tablet

Diverse Range of Cognitive Activities:

The Tiny Tablet boasts a wide array of applications and games designed to target various cognitive skills. These include memory, problem-solving, attention, and processing speed. By engaging in these activities, older people can exercise different parts of their brain, much like how one would exercise various muscle groups.

This variety not only keeps the mind agile but also caters to a broad spectrum of interests, ensuring that users remain engaged and motivated.

Tailored Difficulty Levels:

The applications and games on the Tiny Tablet can be adjusted for difficulty, making them accessible and challenging for people with varying cognitive abilities. This adaptability ensures that each person is working at an optimal level for their cognitive health – neither too easy to be boring nor too difficult to be discouraging.

Promoting Neuroplasticity:

Regular engagement with cognitive activities on the Tiny Tablet can promote neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to form and reorganise synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience. This aspect of cognitive training is vital for older people, as it contributes to the maintenance and improvement of cognitive functions, which can decline with age.

Improving Decision-Making and Reaction Times:

By regularly stimulating the brain with cognitive tasks, the Tiny Tablet helps in honing decision-making skills and quickening reaction times. These improvements are crucial in real-life scenarios where fast decision-making and prompt reactions can prevent falls and accidents.

Enhancing Concentration and Attention:

The focused nature of the games and applications on the Tiny Tablet aids in enhancing concentration and attention spans. This improvement is significant in fall prevention, as being attentive to one’s surroundings and having the ability to concentrate on tasks like walking or navigating obstacles is essential for avoiding falls.

Tracking and Feedback for Cognitive Health:

With the capability to track progress and performance, the Tiny Tablet offers valuable feedback to users and caregivers about the user’s cognitive health. This feedback can be used to identify areas that need more focus and to celebrate improvements, providing a sense of accomplishment and encouraging continued use.

Facilitating Social Interaction and Mental Well-being:

Cognitive stimulation is not just about the individual tasks; it’s also about the social interactions that come with it. The Tiny Tablet can be used in group settings, promoting social interaction and reducing feelings of isolation. Engaging in group activities can enhance mental well-being, which is closely linked to cognitive health.

The Tiny Tablet serves as a multifaceted tool for cognitive stimulation, offering an engaging and adaptable platform for older people to enhance their cognitive abilities. By integrating this technology into their daily routine, older people can not only enjoy the intrinsic benefits of improved cognitive functions but also contribute significantly to their overall fall prevention strategy. This approach underscores the importance of cognitive health in maintaining independence and quality of life in older age.

Enhancing Motor Skills through Interactive Technology

Fine Motor Skill Development:

The interactive games and activities on the Tiny Tablet require precise finger and hand movements, which are instrumental in enhancing fine motor skills. These skills are crucial for older people, as they help maintain the dexterity and coordination needed for daily activities, such as buttoning a shirt, writing, or using utensils. Improved fine motor skills can contribute to greater independence and a reduced risk of falls associated with performing everyday tasks.

Improving Hand-Eye Coordination:

Many activities on the Tiny Tablet demand a synchronised use of visual perception and hand movement. This hand-eye coordination is essential not only for completing tasks on the screen but also translates to better coordination in real-world activities. Enhanced hand-eye coordination aids in more efficient and safer navigation of environments, thereby reducing the likelihood of falls.

Cognitive-Motor Integration:

The Tiny Tablet’s activities often require users to think and act simultaneously. This cognitive-motor integration is a critical aspect of fall prevention. For example, being able to process information (like a change in the walking surface) and adjust body movements accordingly is vital in preventing falls.

Gradual Progression and Challenge:

The adaptive nature of the technology allows for a gradual increase in the level of difficulty of activities. This progression ensures that users are continuously challenged and improving, but not overwhelmed. As motor skills improve, the Tiny Tablet can offer more complex tasks to further enhance these abilities.

Engagement and Enjoyment in Motor Skill Activities:

The engaging nature of the Tiny Tablet’s activities increases the likelihood that older people will regularly participate in them. Enjoyment in these activities can lead to more consistent practice, which is essential for the development and maintenance of motor skills.

Feedback and Motivation:

The Tiny Tablet can provide immediate feedback on performance in various activities. This feedback is crucial for motivating older people to continue practicing and improving their motor skills. It also allows users to track their progress over time, providing a sense of achievement and encouraging continued engagement.

Risk Reduction in a Controlled Environment:

While physical exercises in a gym or outdoor setting are crucial, they can pose risks for older adults with severe mobility or balance issues. The Tiny Tablet offers a safe, controlled environment for beginning to improve motor skills. This controlled setting can be particularly beneficial for those who are starting at lower levels of physical ability or are recovering from injuries.

While the Tiny Tablet should not replace traditional physical exercises focusing on balance and strength, it significantly enhances motor skills, particularly fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. These improvements are integral to a comprehensive fall prevention program, offering a safe, engaging, and adaptable platform for older adults to enhance their motor abilities, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and safety.

Fostering Social Interaction and Engagement

Indirect Promotion of Physical Activity

Bridging the Gap to Physical Activity:

The ESSA study underscores the importance of regular physical activity in preventing falls in older people. The Tiny Tablet, while primarily focused on cognitive and social engagement, can act as a bridge to physical activity. By initially engaging older people in enjoyable and mentally stimulating activities, the tablet can increase their overall activity levels and inspire them to incorporate more structured physical exercises into their routine.

Motivation and Confidence Building:

Engaging with the Tiny Tablet can boost motivation and confidence among older people, particularly those who may be hesitant about participating in physical exercise due to fear of falls or lack of confidence in their physical abilities. As they experience success and enjoyment in the tablet’s activities, their self-efficacy can increase, making them more likely to try other forms of physical activity.

Creating a Routine:

Regular interaction with the Tiny Tablet can help older people establish a routine that includes time for activities and exercise. This structured approach is beneficial as the ESSA study highlights the importance of regularity in exercise for effective fall prevention. The tablet can serve as a reminder and a prompt for integrating physical activity into their daily lives.

Social Encouragement for Physical Exercise:

As the Tiny Tablet facilitates social interactions, it can create opportunities for peer encouragement and support in pursuing physical activities. Group dynamics and shared experiences around the tablet can lead to organizing group exercise sessions, which aligns with the ESSA’s recommendations for engaging in group-based physical activities.

Modelling Healthy Behaviours:

The Tiny Tablet can be used to introduce and model healthy behaviours, including physical exercise. Through interactive applications that educate about the benefits of exercise, or even simulate exercise routines, users can be gently guided towards adopting these practices in real life.

While the Tiny Tablet is a cognitive and social tool, its influence extends to the indirect promotion of physical activity among older people. By building confidence, establishing routines, fostering social encouragement, and linking cognitive with physical health, the Tiny Tablet supports the principles outlined in the ESSA study.

It plays a vital role in encouraging older adults to make physical activity a regular and enjoyable part of their lives, thereby contributing to effective fall prevention and overall health enhancement.

Indirect Promotion of Physical Activity

Bridging the Gap to Physical Activity:

The ESSA study underscores the importance of regular physical activity in preventing falls in older people. The Tiny Tablet, while primarily focused on cognitive and social engagement, can act as a bridge to physical activity. By initially engaging older people in enjoyable and mentally stimulating activities, the tablet can increase their overall activity levels and inspire them to incorporate more structured physical exercises into their routine.

Motivation and Confidence Building:

Engaging with the Tiny Tablet can boost motivation and confidence among older people, particularly those who may be hesitant about participating in physical exercise due to fear of falls or lack of confidence in their physical abilities. As they experience success and enjoyment in the tablet’s activities, their self-efficacy can increase, making them more likely to try other forms of physical activity.

Creating a Routine:

Regular interaction with the Tiny Tablet can help older people establish a routine that includes time for activities and exercise. This structured approach is beneficial as the ESSA study highlights the importance of regularity in exercise for effective fall prevention. The tablet can serve as a reminder and a prompt for integrating physical activity into their daily lives.

Social Encouragement for Physical Exercise:

As the Tiny Tablet facilitates social interactions, it can create opportunities for peer encouragement and support in pursuing physical activities. Group dynamics and shared experiences around the tablet can lead to organizing group exercise sessions, which aligns with the ESSA’s recommendations for engaging in group-based physical activities.

Modelling Healthy Behaviours:

The Tiny Tablet can be used to introduce and model healthy behaviours, including physical exercise. Through interactive applications that educate about the benefits of exercise, or even simulate exercise routines, users can be gently guided towards adopting these practices in real life.

While the Tiny Tablet is a cognitive and social tool, its influence extends to the indirect promotion of physical activity among older people. By building confidence, establishing routines, fostering social encouragement, and linking cognitive with physical health, the Tiny Tablet supports the principles outlined in the ESSA study.

It plays a vital role in encouraging older adults to make physical activity a regular and enjoyable part of their lives, thereby contributing to effective fall prevention and overall health enhancement.

Conclusion: Towards a Holistic Approach in Falls Prevention

the innovative integration of exercise and technology, as guided by the principles set forth in ESSA’s guidelines and embodied in tools like the Tiny Tablet, heralds a new era in falls prevention for older people. This holistic approach transcends traditional methods by encompassing not just the physical aspects essential for fall prevention, but also by enriching these strategies with crucial cognitive and social dimensions.

Central to this approach is the recognition that falls prevention is not merely about physical strength and balance, but also about the overall well-being of the person we care for. The physical exercises recommended by ESSA provide the necessary foundation for building strength and improving balance, critical in reducing the likelihood of falls. However, the integration of technological tools like the Tiny Tablet adds a crucial layer of cognitive stimulation and social interaction, aspects that are equally important in safeguarding the health and independence of older people.

The cognitive exercises and engaging activities offered by the Tiny Tablet ensure that the mind remains as agile and sharp as the body. This cognitive agility plays a pivotal role in quick decision-making and enhancing reaction times, both of which are vital in preventing falls. Furthermore, the social interaction and sense of community fostered through group activities centred around the tablet combat isolation and depression, thereby indirectly reducing fall risks associated with these conditions.

This combined approach boosts motivation and adherence to fall prevention regimes. The enjoyment and engagement derived from interactive technology encourage regular participation in physical exercises, making the entire experience more enjoyable and less of a chore for older people. This factor is crucial, as consistent participation is key to the effectiveness of any fall prevention program.

In essence, the marriage of structured exercise programs and engaging technological interventions like the Tiny Tablet offers a more rounded, effective, and enjoyable approach to falls prevention. It acknowledges and addresses the multifaceted nature of falls, ensuring that interventions are not only focused on the physical but also cater to the cognitive and emotional needs of older adults. As we move forward, this holistic approach paves the way for a future where falls prevention is not only about safeguarding physical health but also about enhancing the overall quality of life for the elderly population.

To download the ESSA study, please click here.