South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe attended an innovative gait measurement clinic in Basildon last week (12/01/18) to understand the latest technological advances in helping the elderly, frail and others with hip problems.
The ‘GaitSmart’ system uses an innovative approach to hip analysis, using sensors which are placed on the patient. There are also different types of technology available to make the lives of seniors easier, an example of this is easy to use mobile phones for the elderly and more innovative technologies are being developed year after year. The innovative digital technology can help empower patients to better manage their own health and mitigate the problems associated with bad hips. Having the ability to walk provides endless freedom but sometimes using a scooter could be the only option. When there are bad days, there are walking aids available which means seniors can extend their trip greatly and don’t have to miss out.
GaitSmart is the only technology that places sensors on all the lower limbs to accurately measure all relevant aspects of gait to determine any problems, which enables trained therapists to provide personalised exercise programmes. The results are evidence based and provide an effective measurement for personalised care and treatment. If this technology becomes advanced enough and widespread enough, it could be used for elderly people all across the globe, whether at home, in a hospital, or at a care facility such as Kew Gardens for example, to improve their daily living lives.
Following a demonstration, Stephen commented:
“I was very impressed with the GaitSmart system – it has great potential to benefit a wide range of patients.
Hip problems affect millions of people in the UK each year. The causes of gait problems are complex and involve a wide range of issues. The technology is very clever and these issues can now be assessed in an innovative, simple walking test in any setting and in just 10 minutes.
This promises to be a great advance for identifying gait problems in the frail, falls in the elderly and those who have undergone joint replacements”.
