Innovative Aging Episode 6: Future of Fall Prevention: Can Objective Data Empower Clients?

Dr. Katharine Forth, PhD in Human Motor Control and former NASA researcher, joins host Carol Chiang for a deep dive into one of rehab’s most pressing challenges: fall prevention. With her out-of-this-world perspective on balance science, Katey and Carol explore how shifting from subjective observation to objective measurement can transform client outcomes. Together, they unpack why data-driven insights may be the key to motivating clients, tracking progress, and reducing fear. You’ll walk away with practical strategies—and maybe a new way to think about balance entirely.Learning ObjectivesAnalyze the evidence around fall risk assessment to inform care plans that optimize outcomesDetermine the clinical situations in which measuring balance and fall risk provides the greatest benefitSolve patient case scenarios involving emerging fall risk, hidden deficits, and fluctuating balanceTimestamps(00:00:00) Welcome(00:00:05) Understanding the impact of falls on older adults(00:01:48) Introducing Dr. Katharine Forth(00:02:56) The multifactorial nature of falls(00:04:56) The role of psychology in fall risk(00:07:55) The importance of context in fall risk(00:11:25) Assessing balance: a complex equation(00:15:24) Personalization in fall prevention strategies(00:18:48) Measuring balance: technology vs. traditional methods(00:25:46) Curiosity and patient engagement in fall prevention(00:27:07) Empowering patients through self-measurement(00:30:40) The role of competition in therapy(00:37:25) Understanding the six pillars of balance(00:41:29) The importance of measurement in therapy(00:48:58) Key takeaways for cliniciansInnovative Aging is brought to you by Medbridge. If you’d like to earn continuing education credit for listening to this episode and access bonus takeaway handouts, log in to your Medbridge account and navigate to the course where you’ll find accreditation details. If applicable, complete the post-course assessment and survey to be eligible for credit. The takeaway handout on Medbridge gives you the key points mentioned in this episode, along with additional resources you can implement into your practice right away.If you’d like to subscribe to Medbridge, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.medbridge.com/pricing/