1 in 3 elderly fall and injure themselves, often leading to hospitalisation, a rapid decline in physical and men- tal condition and potentially even death. For this reason some elderly are afraid to venture out of their home for fear of falling. Ironically, staying mobile and active also contributes to healthy aging. Existing hip protec- tion products are stigmatising and suffer from non-compliance over time. Advances in materials technologies offer new functionalities that can be incorporated into clothing. d3o is one such smart material that offers protection on impact.
This idea combines a service and a product - a bespoke upgrading service that is offered in a senior store or rehab clinic, integrating a soft protector into clothing such as an overcoat to offer fall protec- tion in a comfortable, non stigmatising, flexible way.