New AI invention monitors movement to prevent falls in older people

BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Every second of each day, an older adult, aged 65 and older, suffers a fall in the U.S., according to the CDC. That makes falls the leading cause of injury and injury death in that age group.

That’s why Dr. Eunice Yang, Founder and CEO of OK2StandUP, invented a physical activity monitor to prevent falls from occurring rather than catching them after they’ve already happened. It’s called OK2StandUP.

“Do you know of an older adult who has fallen? Or a friend of a friend that may have fallen? It’s devastating, and it affects every one of us,” Yang, said.

The monitor is about the size of a band-aid and Yang created it to make life better for seniors and care workers.

The device is discreet and would go on the person’s chest. It works to do three things: measure activity, predict issues and receive alerts.

“It tracks their fine physical movements. We know when they’re lying [down]. We know when they’re about to get up, and that is the key when our algorithm detects that. We send the notifications to the care staff, and they have sufficient time to reach the older adult that might be down the hallway from them, and get to them before it’s too late,” Yang said.

The AI-driven health care technology doesn’t prevent residents from an actual fall, but instead, it alerts the caregiver or staff member to act quickly so it doesn’t happen.

Yang said that the product would be best used in hospitals, nursing homes and home health.

OK2StandUP has also received more than $1 million in grant funding and Yang plans to use the money to market the product and build an engineering team.

“It affects every one of us. Maybe not directly, not us personally. But of our loved ones, and it’s an important social initiative that we have to take; each and every one of us have to take,” she said.

To contact OK2StandUP, visit their website.