Weihong Zhang
The safe steps program: developing a tailored falls prevention program for people living with cognitive impairment – a co-design and feasibility study
Award
Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grant
Status
In progress
Start Date
1 March 2026
About the project
What is the focus of the research?
Developing a falls prevention intervention program for people living with cognitive impairment and dementia.
Why is this important?
One-third of older people experience falls each year, resulting in injury and loss of independence. People living with cognitive impairment are at even higher risk of falling and often experience more serious injuries.
Existing prevention programs are designed for people without cognitive challenges and exclude those with memory or thinking difficulties. As a result, people living with cognitive impairment are often excluded from falls prevention support.
Dr Zhang aims to address this gap by combining dementia-specific strategies with evidence-based falls prevention approaches to create the Safe Steps Program. If successful, this may become a scalable program that reduces falls and related injuries, improves quality of life and supports independence for people living with cognitive impairment or dementia.
What could it mean for people with mild cognitive impairment?
- Increased engagement and participation in safe, evidence-based activities.
- Reduced risk of falls and related injuries and hospitalisations.
- Maintained or improved independence, everyday functioning, and quality of life.
Where are they now?
Dr Weihong Zhang is a lecturer at The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences.
