Accompanying research on the development of a safety system for people at risk of falling in the SARA project – self-determined, active, risk-free aging

Falls are one of the most significant health risks worldwide. Unnoticed falls, e.g., when people live alone at home, are considered particularly dangerous if the individuals are unable to help themselves. If help does not arrive in time, this can lead to a long period of immobility and serious health consequences. It is therefore necessary to develop solutions that make the homes of people at increased risk of falling safer. Existing options have limitations in terms of affordability, reliability, acceptance, and usability. LINO Solutions GmbH (https://www.lino-solutions.at/) is working on a technical solution that detects inactivity throughout the home, such as in the event of a fall. 

The solution “Paula” (https://www.paula.care/) developed by LINO Solutions GmbH is a system that recognizes activity and inactivity through routines in power consumption. In the event of deviations, a query is made. If there is no response, contact persons are notified via an app. This is intended to reduce the risks of falls involving long periods of immobility. The aim is to increase the safety of people with an increased risk of falling who live at home. 

The scientific monitoring aims to identify relevant outcomes to be achieved through the use of an innovative fall detection system. To this end, the views and experiences of potential users of the system and relevant stakeholders from the health and social sectors are collected and analyzed, and recommendations for action are derived. The aim is to identify which changes are particularly relevant from the perspective of the participants with regard to the use of a safety system and to what extent an innovative system could contribute to achieving these changes. 

In addition, the opportunities and challenges as well as the usability of the solution “Paula” will be examined.