ProSAFe - Personlig skydd mot fallskador - förbättrat livskvalitet hos äldre

Important results from the project

Every year, 16,500 people suffer a hip fracture in Sweden, and with the aging population, the number of injuries is expected to rise. This causes great suffering to the individual and a high cost to society. The overall goal of the project has therefore been to improve health and well-being of the elderly by preventing fall-related hip injuries. During UDI Step 2 we have - in close collaboration with end users - designed, produced and tested body-worn protector and energy-absorbing floors. This will contribute to safe, fracture-free mobility for the elderly.

Expected long term effects

The project has produced market-leading solutions that have been well received by intended end users. In addition, the project has developed/constructed test methods that have shown large variation in terms of protective effect for existing commercial products (passive). This highlights the need for a standardized test method that simulates hip impact. Furthermore, the complexity of the market is an obstacle for innovations to fly. It would therefore be beneficial to have a national actor that continuously evaluates, recommends and follows up commercial products and innovations

Approach and implementation

The knowledge from UDI Step 1 was further developed together with an extended project group to involve more end users. The work was divided into six work packages that worked in parallel, but the project also had joint monthly meetings where results were continuously presented and discussed in the entire project group. The project group has also visited each other on several occasions. Based on an individual design approach, the end users were continuously involved in all work packages