Rise in older volunteers could reduce falls in older people

Researchers at the University of Warwick are calling for volunteers aged 65-85 across Coventry and Warwickshire to help them with some new research that may help reduce the risk of falls in older people.

University of Warwick Psychology researchers Professor Elizabeth Maylor and Subhobrata Mitra believe that a better understanding of how we think about movement under certain conditions would provide valuable information that could help fall clinics develop programmes that could significantly reduce the risk of a serious fall in older people. They have now received funding to explore their idea from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Subhobrata Mitra said:

“All we need now are volunteers to help us test our theory,. The tests are quite simple and at times will need nothing more than your imagination and a comfortable chair. However these simple tests could help many older people avoid dangerous falls.”

The University already has a panel of older people who volunteer to help in such tests but needs to expand that panel. The researchers do have a small fund to cover reasonable travel costs to the University. One of the current volunteers , 71 year old Mrs Janet Gibbons from Kenilworth in Warwickshire has been volunteering on this panel for 15 years. She said:

“I am always very happy to volunteer to take part in studies at the University of Warwick. I have been volunteering for 15 years and it is always a pleasant experience. The researchers are always very kind and friendly and I would strongly encourage other people to volunteer”.

Anyone wishing to find out more about this work or to volunteer to take part should phone Nicola Doherty on 02476 522 774 or email N.Doherty [a] warwick.ac (p) uk