005 – Interview: Otago & Proven Exercises for Fall Prevention

Better Health While Aging

English - March 17, 2016 15:15 - ★★★★★ - 109 ratings
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Previous Episode: 004 What to Do If You're Worried About Falls

Next Episode: 006 – Interview: Surviving Cancer & Better Healthcare Through Being an e-Patient

Dr. K interviews Tiffany Shubert, PhD MPT, a practicing physical therapist and a leading expert on exercise programs for fall prevention. They discuss what types of exercises work best for fall prevention, simple strength and balance tests you can do at home, and how to find a good program. Dr. Shubert also explains the Otago Exercise Program, a newer physical therapy program proven to reduce falls in seniors. For show notes & links, including links to videos demonstrating useful exercises, visit BetterHealthWhileAging.net/podcast.

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In This Episode:

Dr. K interviews Tiffany Shubert, PhD MPT, a practicing physical therapist on faculty at the University of North Carolina, and a leading expert on exercise programs for fall prevention. They discuss:

What types of exercise work best for fall prevention, and why

Why strength and balance exercises are so important for aging adults

Why walking is not enough, when it comes to fall prevention

Easy tests you can do at home, to check an older person’s leg strength and balance

What’s involved in the Otago Exercise Program, an exciting new physical therapy program proven to reduce falls in older adults and endorsed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

How to find Otago near you

Why any exercise or physical therapy program for fall prevention should involve exercises done in standing, that are challenging, that get more challenging over time, and that involve at least two hours/week of exercises

Other proven programs to reduce falls in older adults

Tips on doing fall prevention exercises in people with Alzheimers or other dementias

Related Episodes:

052 – Maintaining Mobility & Preventing Falls in Aging: Myths & Truths

004 – What to Do if You’re Worried About Falls

Related Resources:

Carolina Geriatric Education Center: Otago Resources

Otago Implementation Guide (designed for use by physical therapists)

Otago Exercise Guide (for older adults)

Videos Demonstrating All Exercises Used in Otago

How to do the 30 Second Chair Rise Test (to check is score is ok for age, see here)

How to do the 4 Stage Balance Test