ANDOVER, Mass., Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal
Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) today announced new study
results demonstrating an insightful correlation between chronic
conditions and falls risk. Philips' researchers retrospectively
analyzed the records of 145,000 seniors equipped with a standard
Philips Lifeline medical alert service or a medical alert service
with AutoAlert (automatic fall detection) between January 2012 and June
2014. Data showed seniors with chronic conditions fell and
required emergency transport up to 54 percent more often, compared
to their peers with no chronic conditions. Additionally, the
analysis revealed that seniors with physical conditions not
typically tied to frailty, including COPD and diabetes, also were
shown to fall more often.
In the United States, one in
three seniors fall each year1 and about 75 percent of
healthcare costs are spent on chronic diseases2.
Understanding the fall risk associated with seniors, especially
those living with chronic conditions, is the first step to
prevention, and by providing prompt care, outcomes can be improved
and costs related to direct medical assistance better managed.
Driving visibility to the need to take preventative steps can help
this population prepare appropriately and help them get fast access
to help when needed.
"While conditions like Parkinson's disease and osteoporosis are
more obviously tied to falls, we're learning that other common
chronic diseases, like diabetes and COPD, have a direct correlation
to increased frailty and falls," said Kimberly O'Loughlin, Senior
Vice President and General Manager of Home Monitoring, Philips. "As
we use better, more personal information, we will be able to do an
increasingly better job of keeping our loved ones safer and
healthier in their homes."
With 5.3 million Americans suffering from
Alzheimer's3, 24 million from COPD4 and 29
million from diabetes5, chronic conditions are a growing
concern in the U.S. In fact, 80 percent of the senior population
has at least one chronic condition and 68 percent has two or
more6. Among Philips Lifeline HomeSafe with AutoAlert
users, seniors who self-reported suffering from three chronic
conditions had 15 percent more falls that required hospital
transport, and those with five or more conditions had 40 percent
more falls than those with no chronic conditions. Within the study
population, 72 percent reported having one or more chronic
conditions, with 20 percent reporting five or more.
The data shows that seniors fell more often and needed hospital
transport when reporting the following:
- Cognitive impairment by 54 percent;
- COPD by 42 percent;
- Diabetes by 30 percent; and
- Heart condition by 29 percent.
The complete findings7 are available at
www.lifeline.philips.com/resources/fall-risk.
Philips is a leading provider of population health management
solutions that improve outcomes and efficiency through coordinated
care, real time analytics and patient engagement services. Through
Philips Lifeline with AutoAlert, which can provide access to help
if it detects falls that otherwise would not be reported, seniors
can maintain their independence and avoid potential hospitalization
resulting from complications of long lie times8.
Additionally, in its continuing effort to support this population,
Philips Home Monitoring recently launched CareSage in the U.S., a
new predictive analytics engine that provides analysis of real-time
and historical data from healthcare providers and Philips Lifeline
AutoAlert technology. CareSage proactively identifies patients most
likely to need to be transported to a hospital within the next 30
days so clinicians can provide timely intervention.
For further information, please
contact:
Kathy O'Reilly
Philips Group Communications
(o) 978-659-2638 (mobile) 978-221-8919
Kathy.oreilly@philips.com
Twitter: @kathyoreilly
About Royal
Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA)
is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on
improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas
of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in
the Netherlands, Philips posted
2014 sales of EUR 21.4 billion and
employs approximately 106,000 employees with sales and services in
more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care,
acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions
and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming
and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at
www.philips.com/newscenter.
1 Tromp AM, Pluijm SMF, Smit JH, et al. Fall-risk
screening test: a prospective study on predictors for falls in
community-dwelling elderly. J Clin Epidemiol 2001;
54(8):837–844.
2 National Health Council
3 Alzheimer's Association
4 COPD Foundation
5 CDC
6 National Council on Aging
7 All data within the study is reported with a +/- 95%
confidence interval.
8 AutoAlert does not detect 100% of falls. If able,
seniors should always push the button if they need help.
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SOURCE Royal Philips