Our series on falls and fall prevention continues with the expertise of Dr. Thomas Gill, of Yale University, a specialist in geriatrics and fall prevention.

This episode is a good partner to the last one which focused on medication, so be sure to circle back to the conversation with Dr. Michael Steinman, if you haven't listened to it already!

Today, we're going deeper into fall prevention, exercise, fall preparation and ultimately, what to do if (or when) you fall. Because we can't assume that it will never happen. Indeed, 30% of persons over the age of 65 will have at least one fall over the course of a year. About a third of these lead to some sort of injury, like a hip fracture.

But we can absolutely do our best to avoid them, while staying prepared if it does happen.

Dr. Thomas talks to us about the value of Tai Chi and yoga for improving flexibility and muscle strength, as well as preparing your home with good, solid furniture, support bars, and eliminating any obstacles that could trigger a fall, like loose rugs or those tables where the legs stick out. Who thought that was a good idea?

And if you do fall, you need to know how to get up. That might be the hardest, and most dangerous, part of all. Knowing what to do is equally important knowledge for your partners, loved ones, or anyone who is on standby to help.

Our thanks to Dr. Gill for his time and contribution to this important series!

0:00 Why fall prevention matters for older adults
4:13 Falls are not a normal part of aging
6:28 Common fall risks
11:15 Hip fractures and the serious consequences of a fall
13:42 Effective ways to prevent falls
17:15 Exercise, Tai Chi, yoga, strength, and balance
19:24 Preparing for a fall and protecting the head and hips
26:46 What to do after a fall and how to get up safely
29:56 Living alone, emergency support, and preventing long waits for help
32:13 Thoughts on independence and fall prevention

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