SMPLICARE, a social business and part of the Aster Foundation social incubator, inc, is launching the UK’s largest study into how older people can live safer, healthier lives at home for longer, and is looking for residents from Mendip to take part.
The study, which will run over six months, will track participant data while they go about their normal daily activities. At the end of the project, the information from all participants will be analysed and used to help develop technology aimed at reducing the risk of falls in the elderly.
Participants will need to be over the age of 55 and have had a fall in the past 18 months or be worried about having one in the future. They will also need to have a smartphone or tablet to track data from a wearable device provided by Smplicare free of charge. Participants will be able to keep the devices at the end of the research.
Smplicare’s CEO, Garret Sprague, said: “According to figures released by the NHS for A&E attendances in 2020-21, over 216,000 people aged over 65 in England experienced a hospital admission due to a fall. We’re hoping our study will help reduce those numbers and the resulting cost to our NHS and social care systems.”
The Aster Foundation is the registered charity of the local housing association Aster Group and is working to enable the better lives of at least 40,000 people by 2030.
Smplicare was selected to part of the Aster Foundation social incubator, inc in September 2022 as part of their 2022/23 cohort. The incubator aims to develop businesses with a social purpose such as those tackling homelessness, mental health, financial exclusion, unemployment, and sustainability.
Tamsin Southby, Aster Foundation partner, said: “This is an exciting piece of work for one of our social businesses. We’re really pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to residents in the Mendip area to help support this vital piece of research.”
Garret Sprague and his team from Smplicare will be holding a by-appointment information session at the local housing association Aster Group’s office on Priory Park, Wells, between 8.30am and 5.30pm on April 27, for anyone who would like to find out more.
To book a face-to-face appointment to take part in this research project, call 01312 100069. Alternatively, to meet virtually and have a device posted, call or email research@smplicare.co.uk.