Research-proven exergames will be implemented in aged care homes across Australia and New Zealand through a new agreement between Neuroscience Research Australia and Wellness Partners Foundation that embeds NeuRA’s research into the community.

Associate Professor Daina Sturnieks and Professor Stephen Lord from the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre at NeuRA have developed the technology that combines falls risk assessment with the fun of exergames that provide cognitive, physical and balance exercises. 

“Our SmartStep Exergame system and Choice Stepping Reaction Time suite have been developed during the past 25 years and we’re excited to see these NeuRA-developed tools rolled out in aged care facilities through this agreement,” Prof Lord said.

“Understanding and preventing falls is at the heart of what we do, and technology has allowed us to develop a fall-prevention program that is fun and effective.”

“The SmartStep system is designed to be easy to set up and safe to use in a variety of settings, making it suitable for people with a broad range of conditions that can increase their risk of falling,” Assoc Prof Sturnieks said.

“We’re pleased to see it be adapted from the research setting into aged care homes.” 

The Agreement with not-for-profit Wellness Partners Foundation will see 100 SmartStep units available for aged care residences across Australia and New Zealand under the Wellness Partners Foundation’s BalanceBuddy program.