Current understandings and technologies for prevention of fall-related hip fracture in older adults

Abstract

Our symposium is designed to provide basic knowledge on the science of falling and hip fracture in older adults and associated intervention strategies (i.e., primarily wearable hip protectors), with a hope to guide future research and practice to address the issue. The symposium discusses hip fracture mechanisms and associated risk factors with a great emphasis on the circumstances of falls that lead to hip fracture and the role of soft tissue over the hip region, so called “natural padding device”, in determining hip fractures during a fall. The symposium also discusses wearable hip protectors, including its user compliance (acceptance and adherence) and novel design of hip protectors.