#Webinar Description:
How do we prevent falls in older adults without being overprotective? For those who are frail or approaching frailty, daily activities create risk for falls. The term “dignity of risk” was introduced by Perske in 1972 who stated “in the past, we found clever ways to build avoidance of risk into the lives of persons living with disabilities. We have learned there can be crippling indignity in safety. Prioritizing safeguarding over the rights of individuals to independent decision-making is a limitation on personal freedom. Now we must work equally hard to help find the proper amount of risk these people have the right to take.” In this webinar, Dr. Steve Robinovitch will discuss the concept of dignity of risk in the context of falls and encourage audience feedback on the challenges of defining prudent risks, and preventing falls while promoting autonomy, self-determination, freedom to move, and the right to live with risk.
#Webinar Presenters
Steve Robinovitch is a Professor at Simon Fraser University with appointments in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, and Engineering Science. His program on Technology for Injury Prevention in Seniors (http://www.sfu.ca/tips) focuses on the cause and prevention of falls and fall-related injuries in older adults. In partnership with long-term care sites in the Vancouver area, TIPS conducted a cohort study involving the collection and analysis of video footage of real-life falls in older adults. TIPS has also developed wearable sensor system that automatically detect falls, and solutions to prevent injuries in the event of a fall, including wearable hip protectors and compliant flooring. Dr. Robinovitch received his Ph.D. in 1995 in Medical Engineering from MIT/ Harvard. He has published 120 peer-reviewed papers and is a past recipient of a Canada Research Chair, a New Investigator Award from CIHR, a Scholar Award from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and a Career Award from the Canadian Society of Biomechanics.