Ageing in the Arctic:
Innovative Fall Prevention

Design-driven Innovation (2024-ongoing)

Harstad kommune, in collaboration with Troms fylkeskommune, is leading an initiative to gather data on where and how falls occur in outdoor spaces to improve safety, prevent falls, and reduce social isolation.

Fabric+ joins as a partner, alongside the Center for Age-Friendly Norway, the National Organization for Injury Prevention, and the WHO Fall Prevention Action Hub.

  • Improved data collection methods of outdoor falls: The project will develop and test methods for collecting data on fall locations and causes, enabling the municipality to allocate resources more effectively.

  • Measuring falls and systematic reduction: The project aims to provide the municipality with tools to pursue a zero-fall vision, tracking reductions through healthcare reports and self-reported falls.

  • Multi-sector fall prevention measures: Prototyping and testing interventions will focus on fall prevention in urban areas, especially during winter, involving sectors beyond healthcare.

  • Increased safety perception among target groups: Surveys conducted before and after implementation will assess increased safety perceptions among seniors and vulnerable groups using public spaces in winter.

Key Goals

Main Deliverable
Tested and prototype solutions, final report

Client
Harstad kommune, Troms Holding

Collaborators
Center for Age-Friendly Norway
Norwegian Safety Forum (Skadeforebyggende forum)
WHO Fall Prevention Action Hub

Location
Harstad / Troms / Norway

Key Fabric+ services

  • Age-friendly spaces and services

  • Innovation in services and system

In-charge
Siri Arntzen-Ratnarajan

The starting point

The Ageing in the Arctic (2023) project collected insights from 300 seniors in Bodø about the challenges of ageing in a city with long winters, a harsh climate, and unpredictable weather. Findings highlighted several critical concerns:

  • Many seniors feel socially isolated in winter due to weather, icy conditions, limited snow clearing, and transportation, with a significant fear of falling.

  • Isolation and loneliness due to winter conditions are widespread, negatively impacting mental and physical health.

  • 41% of respondents reported falling and injuring themselves in the past 2-3 years.

  • Many older adults who have experienced falls prefer to stay home rather than risk venturing out in icy conditions.

Supported by Samfunnsløftet, a pilot project is underway in Bodø, with plans to replicate and expand this approach to additional municipalities across the country.

Harstad’s commitment to fall prevention

Harstad is deeply committed to injury prevention, becoming Norway’s first WHO Safe Community in 1994 following eight years of active prevention across age groups and risk areas. Today, Harstad remains certified under Norway’s Safe Community model, led by the National Organization for Injury Prevention, with a long-standing focus on preventing injuries and accidents.

The Safe Community organization is managed by a steering group led by the mayor and includes leaders from UiT, UNN, the police, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and the municipal director. This structure fosters injury prevention while strengthening community networks for wider resident benefits.

Prevention efforts in the face of healthcare resource constraints

Like many municipalities, Harstad faces increasing resource constraints in healthcare, a challenge expected to grow in coming years. Preventing injuries, especially among the rapidly increasing elderly population, is essential for maintaining quality of life and independence for seniors while easing pressure on healthcare and care services.

Prevention efforts are crucial to protect lives and reduce healthcare costs. However, without dedicated funding, preventive services remain vulnerable to budget cuts, making it essential to innovate and develop sustainable approaches.

Harnessing data for safer, sustainable communities

The National Organization for Injury Prevention confirms there is a significant lack of local and national data on where, how, and why falls occur, particularly in outdoor environments. Winter conditions pose specific challenges, as ice and snow contribute significantly to falls, and limited resources make it difficult to keep sidewalks and neighborhoods safe and ice-free.

Data is essential to targeted fall prevention, and we believe there are several other low-threshold solutions to make environments safer and more accessible throughout the year.

The project

This project seeks a clearer understanding of where and how falls occur, especially outdoors. With this knowledge, winter maintenance teams, property managers, and other stakeholders can contribute more effectively to fall prevention, maximizing impact within existing budgets through coordinated, cross-sectoral efforts.

  • To carry out the project effectively, the Project Team will progress through five key phases:

    • Insight phase. The project begins by mapping current fall prevention efforts, reviewing effective measures through literature and expert interviews, and conducting a stakeholder analysis to identify key local actors. This phase aims to establish a foundational understanding of existing strategies and pinpoint potential collaborators.

    • Design and testing of data collection methods. Prototype data collection methods to gather information on fall locations and causes, collaborating closely with healthcare professionals. The most effective methods will be selected and refined for further development in the next phase.

    • Idea development and prototyping. Conduct ideation workshops with stakeholders to create actionable fall prevention measures and prototype at least three interventions, such as infrastructure improvements (e.g., handrails, lighting, seating).

    • Evaluation and adjustment. Test prototypes in real environments with the target group, evaluating effectiveness and making necessary adjustments based on observed outcomes. This refined approach will support the roll-out and implementation of successful measures in the second project year.

    • Conclusion. A digital closing conference for municipalities in Troms and Nordland will share project findings and best practices. A final report will document outcomes and provide guidance for future fall prevention efforts.