Interprofessional Workshop: Falls, Mobility and Elder Persons

Dr Dawn Tan is Associate Professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology and teaches in the undergraduate physiotherapy programme. Dawn completed her Doctor of Clinical Physiotherapy with the University of Melbourne in 2011. She has worked extensively with patients with neurological and vestibular disorders at the Singapore General Hospital. Dawn’s areas of research interests include stroke, Parkinson’s disease and vestibular rehabilitation. She is particularly interested in identifying predictors of falls and falls prevention management in these groups of people. She endeavours to deliver and contribute to evidence-based practice to improve physical and health outcomes, as well as to empower patients and caregivers in their journey to wellness.

Dr Tim Xu is an Occupational Therapy Assistant Professor at Singapore Institute of Technology and holds a PhD in Health Sciences from the University of Sydney, Australia. He has over 20 years of experience working with older adults and stroke population in community rehabilitation settings in Singapore and Australia. Tim worked closely with many community organisations and government agencies to promote ageing in place in older adults and community reintegration after stroke. He has successfully piloted a few community-based programs locally, such as Stepping On fall prevention program in older adults, Stepping On after stroke program, multicomponent frailty management (Say No To Frailty) program for community-living older adults and community reintegration after stroke (CREATE) program.

Emeritus Professor Lindy Clemson, from The University of Sydney, has developed innovative and accessible programs, underpinned by enabling strategies, so that as we age, we can lead safe and active lives and stay connected with community. Her work is underpinned by recognition that everyone has a right to access evidence-based interventions that meet their needs and to understand their benefit.

Internationally, she is in the top 10 most published fall prevention trial-researchers; she has conducted translational research with the iSOLVE fall prevention project for General Practitioners and is the principal researcher for the FAST NHMRC-funded trial of a fall prevention community program for stroke survivors.

She also recently conducted translational research in reablement programs for people living with dementia. Her work has influenced policy and practice, with Cochrane Reviews and national practice guidelines.