New Orleans-based Ochsner Health and its innovation lab, innovationOchsner, have partnered with a digital health platform for older adults aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing falls.
Digital health platform Bold is one of five fall prevention and monitoring programs the health system is piloting as part of its Ochsner Connected Stability program, which focuses on assisting Medicare Advantage members who are at higher risk, according to a Sept. 1 news release.
Four details:
1. Bold reduces falls by keeping patients active through fitness programs. Bold conducted a study with its clinical adviser, Randall Stafford, MD, professor at Stanford (Calif.) School of Medicine. The study found a 60 percent reduction in the annual fall rate in patients enrolled in Bold's fall prevention program, according to the news release.
2. "Falls is one of the leading problems facing healthcare today in terms of both cost and mortality," said Richard Milani, MD, medical director for innovationOchsner and chief clinical transformation officer of Ochsner Health. "Bold's balance training program was a natural fit as one of multiple interventions in our comprehensive fall prevention and monitoring program as we work to prevent future falls."
3. CDC data reports that 1 in 3 adults over the age of 65 fall each year. Non-fatal fall injuries cost nearly $50 billion annually. Medicare paid $29 billion in 2018 for treatment and care related to non-fatal falls.
4. Patients using Bold complete an online assessment that analyzes their health and fitness levels. Bold offers exercise programs that can be completed in the home and allow members to start with shorter, seated classes. They can also join virtual live classes and community events to socialize with other patients.