Why We Need to Talk About Falls, with Dr. Jo Bergh

Today's topic is one of those topics that has a very, very far-reaching impact, and yet most of us don't recognize that's the case.Did you know just how impactful a fall can be when you're a senior? It can be the start of a cascade of side effects and impacts that can last the rest of your life.Not to be dour about it, but in today's episode we want to focus on a simple solution: take falling seriously, be prepared and keep your muscle strength up as much as you possibly can.To help us in this endeavor, we have Dr. Jo Bergh from the University of California San Francisco here to share some of her research and knowledge, her practical experience as a doctor of physical therapy, and in particular her expertise as a certified geriatric clinical specialist.We talk about fall prevention strategies, risk factors in your clothes and around the house, how to develop your own targeted strength training, and even talk about doing a bit of Tai Chi.There are lots of options to maintain your strength and mobility! Many people mistakenly believe that falling is a normal part of aging, but it's not: and you can do something about it!Check out this recent article by Dr. Jo in the San Francisco Chronicle:https://health.yahoo.com/wellness/healthy-aging/mobility/articles/bad-balance-isnt-just-normal-130000517.html00:00 Understanding the Seriousness of Falls in Older Adults10:01 Identifying Risk Factors for Falls14:46 The Role of Physical Therapy in Fall Prevention21:09 Actionable Steps to Prevent Falls26:04 Overcoming Barriers to Exercise---Reach out to the show by visiting our website,https://weareoldpodcast.comand send me your thoughts and suggestions at [email protected].