ProFouND is an EU funded Thematic Network focusing on falls prevention. We work closely with the EIP-AHA to bring about the dissemination and implementation of best practice in falls prevention across Europe, using novel ICT solutions. ProFouND brings together 21 partners from 12 countries and with associate members from 10 countries.ProFouND intends to bring together relevant stakeholders to consolidate roadmaps and guidelines regarding fall prevention and facilitate the communication between solution/service providers and key stakeholders (private and voluntary organisations, public authorities) at national, regional or local level to ensure effective implementation and reach.

ProFouND aims to influence policy and to increase awareness of falls and innovative prevention programmes amongst all sectors and organisations that work with older people. ProFouND’s objective is to embed evidence based fall prevention programmes for elderly people at risk of falls by using novel ICT and effective training programmes in at least 10 countries/15 regions by 2015, to facilitate widespread implementation.

We will achieve our objectives in three main ways.

1: Evidence is clear that personalised information is more readily accepted and acted upon. We will collate evidence-based resources to inform the development and content of a novel, state-of-the-art, online web-based expert system – ProFouND Falls Prevention Application (PFPApp). This App will enable the creation of tailored and customised best practice guidance that can be context and individual specific. This advice will be presented in an easily understand and attractive printable leaflet, branded with institutional logos, contact information and other bespoke information according to what is available in the local area. We will also provide freely downloadable manuals and templates to produce localised implementation pathways for falls prevention in a number of settings and for the wide functional capabilities of older people. These resources will be available in a number of EU languages.

2:  Strength and balance exercise is known to be the most cost-effective method of reducing falls and injuries in older people. ProFouND, in collaboration with Later Life Training, will provide a cascade model training programme using face to face and e-learning approaches to create a cadre of accredited, evidence based, exercise trainers across Europe. These Cascade trainers will train others in their local regions to allow the roll out of exercise regimens that have been proven to reduce falls amongst older people. The impact and reach of these evidence based trainers and the sessions they deliver will be recorded and disseminated widely to ensure uptake.

3:  ProFouND will work with E-NO FALLS (another Thematic Network funded by the EC) and the EIP-AHA Action Group on Falls to create networks and forums for stakeholders in the field of ICT and health. We aim to engage with industry to promote development and adoption of these solutions. This forum will run events and reach out to promote MHealth capabilities and European competitiveness in the sector. Further information on the Eight Work Packages that make up ProFouND.

ProFouND is partially funded by the ICT PSP (Policy Support Programme) as part of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme of the EU.

We regularly post upcoming activities on our Facebook page and on Twitter (@ProFouNDEU). We regularly attend international conferences and events disseminating the work of ProFouND as well as work across the EU and beyond to share best practice in falls prevention. For future activities please keep an eye on our events calendar. If you would like to collaborate with the ProFouND project please complete and submit a contact form, with further details of your organisation and/or project.