Medical Protection Technologies to Highlight Fall-Safe Hip Protectors at Assisted Living Federation of America Conference

Medical Protection Technologies is demonstrating its next- generation Fall-Safe Hip Protectors at the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) Conference, through May 21 in Phoenix.

According to a release, the design and materials of Fall-Safe Hip Protectors reflect an important trend in the care of older adults- an emphasis on preventing the hip fracture, not just the fall.

Hip protectors are specialized undergarments containing pads that absorb or transfer energy associated with a fall onto the hip. Based on "intelligent molecular engineering," Fall-Safe Hip Protector pads remain soft and flexible until the moment of impact, when they become instantly rigid to protect hips from fracture and then quickly revert to their original flexible state after the impact. Extremely comfortable and almost invisible under clothing-seniors often forget they're wearing them.

D. Stephen Robins, M.D., CEO of Medical Protection Technologies, said that despite extensive fall prevention efforts over many years, falls and hip fractures continue to occur at unacceptable rates, with potentially devastating consequences for seniors, families, and facilities. One in five hip fracture patients dies within a year and, of the survivors, one-half of those who were relatively independent before the injury never fully regain their independence.

"As competition for residents increases among assisted living facilities, promoting a culture of quality and safety is all the more imperative," Robins said. "A focus on keeping residents safe from hip fractures by encouraging use of hip protectors is a simple, inexpensive way to set facilities apart when potential residents and their families are reviewing their available choices. It is also an inexpensive risk management tool and can lead to longer stays by residents in assisted living facilities, decreasing the likelihood of a premature and often permanent move to a nursing home due to hip fracture."

More information:

www.medprotech.com

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