The Geriatric Acute & Post-acute Care Coordination Program for Fall Prevention in the Emergency Department II
The Geriatric Acute & Post-acute Care Coordination Program for Fall Prevention in the Emergency Department II
Falls by older adults are often predictable and preventable, yet there is a notable lack of
 research evaluating interventions to reduce the occurrence of recurrent falls in older adult
 Emergency Department (ED) patients. In this study, patients, caregivers, physical therapists
 (PTs), pharmacy specialists, and clinicians provide a patient-centric, collaborative approach
 to fall prevention that bridges the ED visit with outpatient resources. The Apple Watch
 Series 4 will be evaluated by older adults and their caregivers for usability as a tool to
 track gait, function, and fall events.
Falls by older adults are often predictable and preventable, yet there is a notable lack of
 research evaluating interventions to reduce the occurrence of recurrent falls in older adult
 Emergency Department (ED) patients. Dr. Goldberg's Beeson K76 project GAPcare II, the
 Geriatric Acute & Post-acute Care Coordination Program for Fall Prevention in the Emergency
 Department, addresses this lack of research by further refining and examining the
 intervention she created in her GEMSSTAR R03 project. In her Beeson K76 GAPcare II project,
 Dr. Goldberg will build on the lessons learned from the GEMSSTAR R03 work. GAPcare II's
 specific aims are to: conduct field testing with geriatric patients with and without
 cognitive impairment and their caregivers to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and
 usability of the Apple Watch to objectively measure fall-related outcomes.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Community-dwelling adult (non-institutionalized) 65 years-old or older presenting to
 ED after a fall (or a caregiver for persons with dementia)

 -  Patient speaks English

 -  Fall not due to syncope or external force (i.e., struck by car or assault)

 -  Fall not due to serious illness (i.e., stroke, acute myocardial infarction)

 -  Will be discharged to home/assisted living/rehabilitation at completion of ED visit
 (i.e., not admitted)

 -  Legally authorized representative present to give informed consent if patient has
 cognitive impairment on Six Item Screener (score of less than four)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Unable to give informed consent due to intoxication or altered mental status

 -  Presence of injuries that prevent mobilization (i.e., pelvic or lower extremity
 fractures)

 -  Allergies to any wearable device component

 -  Unable or unwilling to wear Apple Watch at home

 -  Patient has advanced cancer and/or is on hospice care