A new study by Dr Meghan Ambrens, Prof Kim Delbaere, A/Prof Kim van Schooten and colleagues has developed a practical implementation model to support the uptake of digital fall prevention programs in community aged care settings.
Falls are a leading cause of injury and loss of independence in older people. While digital exercise programs (such as ) have demonstrated strong effectiveness in reducing falls, integrating these technologies into routine aged care services remains a challenge. Through interviews and focus groups with healthcare professionals and aged care providers, the study identified key barriers including limited access to devices and wi-fi, time pressures, funding constraints, and concerns around older clients鈥 digital literacy and confidence using technology.
In response, the researchers and healthcare professionals co-designed a practical implementation model to help community aged care services successfully embed digital health solutions into practice. Strategies included ongoing staff training, flexible delivery approaches, educational resources for clients and carers, and identifying local 鈥渃hampions鈥 within teams to support implementation.
鈥淒igital health programs have enormous potential to support healthy ageing, but successful implementation depends on ensuring these tools fit within the day-to-day operations of community aged care,鈥 says lead author Dr Meghan Ambrens. 鈥淥ur work provides a practical roadmap to help services overcome barriers and improve access to evidence-based fall prevention for older people.鈥
鈥淎s digital health becomes embedded in aged care, the key challenge is not effectiveness, but implementation - ensuring these programs can be delivered sustainably, equitably, and within real-world service constraints,鈥 says senior author A/Prof Kim van Schooten.