Assessing Mobility-Related Activities in Older Adults with Wearable Systems

1. Assessing Mobility-Related Activities in Older Adults with Wearable Systems Courtney McAlister

2. Health status is important! Physical activity for older adults is good: Promotes health Slows disease progression Prolongs functional independence Inverse relationship between physical activity and mortality Health status among older adults is very important, especially for QOL Physical activity for older adults is good for promoting health slowing disease progression and prolonging functional independence. Researchers have also identified an inverse relationship b/w total physical activity and mortality However, safe and independent mobility is often hindered by age-related pathology, such as: Osteoarthritis Stroke Parkinson�s And even Alzheimer�s But motor functioning can also decline even in the absence of these pathologies. Health status among older adults is very important, especially for QOL Physical activity for older adults is good for promoting health slowing disease progression and prolonging functional independence. Researchers have also identified an inverse relationship b/w total physical activity and mortality However, safe and independent mobility is often hindered by age-related pathology, such as: Osteoarthritis Stroke Parkinson�s And even Alzheimer�s But motor functioning can also decline even in the absence of these pathologies.

3. "the McRoberts family" The decrease of physical activity in daily life leads to a marked reduction in quality of life, bringing risk of disability and even early death. Aging populations in many parts of the world underline the seriousness of this phenomena. Mobility disability is likely to be a threat to independent living and will lead to strain the finances and human resources in the healthcare systems. Guidelines are being developed on a world-wide basis to promote a healthy life style. Recent research shows exercise can slow down cognitive decline; physical activity is increasingly accepted as a means to improve people�s health.

4. Frequency of falls among older adults 30% of persons 65+ fall each year. (O�Loughlin, Robitaille, Boivin, & Suissa, 1993) 20-30% of those who fall suffer injuries. 15,802 persons aged =65 years died in 2005 from fall injuries. (Stevens, Mack, Paulozzi, & Ballesteros, 2008) The frequency of falls among older adults is staggering. Approximately 30% of persons older than 65 years fall each year, and the rates are even higher after 75 years old b/w 20-30% of those who fall suffer injuries that further reduce mobility and independence and increase the risk of premature death. In 2005, 15,802 persons aged =65 years died from fall injuries.The frequency of falls among older adults is staggering. Approximately 30% of persons older than 65 years fall each year, and the rates are even higher after 75 years old b/w 20-30% of those who fall suffer injuries that further reduce mobility and independence and increase the risk of premature death. In 2005, 15,802 persons aged =65 years died from fall injuries.

5. Vicious Falls Spiral There is a nasty spiral that is centered around falls. Falls are associated with social and psychological consequences People loose confidence and then become isolated and then further restrict their activity. The further reduction of physical activity has serious physiological consequences Activity avoidance leads to reductions in muscle strength, joint mobility, and cardio-respiratory functioning. Lack of experience in performing certain activities can lead to de-conditioning, Increases the likeliness of unsafe performance of activities This nasty spiral can be prevented by timely interventions that improve motor functioning and facilitate safe performance of activities. However, it�s still been a major challenge to effectively evaluate motor functioning. In order to develop effective interventions, we need to: Understand the mechanisms that underlie the loss of functioning And understand the instruments and procedures for monitoring functioning before, during, and after interventionThere is a nasty spiral that is centered around falls. Falls are associated with social and psychological consequences People loose confidence and then become isolated and then further restrict their activity. The further reduction of physical activity has serious physiological consequences Activity avoidance leads to reductions in muscle strength, joint mobility, and cardio-respiratory functioning. Lack of experience in performing certain activities can lead to de-conditioning, Increases the likeliness of unsafe performance of activities This nasty spiral can be prevented by timely interventions that improve motor functioning and facilitate safe performance of activities. However, it�s still been a major challenge to effectively evaluate motor functioning. In order to develop effective interventions, we need to: Understand the mechanisms that underlie the loss of functioning And understand the instruments and procedures for monitoring functioning before, during, and after intervention