Digital PhysioOT:
A home digital physio and occupational therapy technology for reversing frailty and keeping people moving
Movement is at the core of maintaining independence reversing frailty and keeping healthy and well as we age. This project proposes the development of digitally-augmented occupational and physiotherapy practices that uses digital technology to tailor movement interventions for people living with frailty in their home environment. Half of people over 65 are frail, and it is predicted that the UK's population of older adults will double by 2041 therefore the number of people with frailty will rise considerably over the coming years. Frailty is the presence of weakness, slow walking speed, fatigue, rapid weight loss, and a very reduced level of activity. Frailtyaffects a person's ability to move and transition between postures keep moving and recover from everyday chores and activities. Frailty increases risks of illness, poor quality of life, falls, hospitalisation, dependency, disability, and death. A simple cold can reduce activity sufficiently to critically stop a person's ability to be independent. Health Care Rehabilitation Professionals delivering movement exercises can reverse frailty in about 40% of people for as long as 12 months saving 4 -4.5 billion a year in NHS spending. Physiotherapy can assess and prescribe personalised targeted exercises, and Occupational Therapy (OT) assesses and support an individual to be safe and independent in their home. But insufficient numbers and skills of Health Care Professionals have been highlighted as a critical global concern by the World Health Organisation