Selected Podcast
Geriatric Health
In this episode, we will hear from Dr. Aimee Yu-Ballard, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Geriatrics at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. She will lead a discussion focusing on fall prevention, specifically in geriatrics.
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Learn more about Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD specializes in Geriatrics.Learn more about Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD
Transcription:
Dr. David Hill (Host): This is Expert Insights with the Carle Foundation Hospital and I'm Dr. David Hill. Today we're talking with Dr. Amy Yu-Ballard, MD, PhD and Clinical Assistant Professor of Geriatrics at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Yu-Ballard welcome.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Thank you. Thank you very much.
Host: As someone who suddenly finds himself kind of right at the center of middle age, I find myself increasingly concerned with issues of healthy aging. So I am thrilled that you're here to talk with us today.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Yes, I'm happy to share any information.
Host: So it really is all about balance, not just figuratively, but also in a very real way, literally. What can people do as they age to prevent falls, which can be life threatening in some circumstances?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I agree with you. I think fall prevention is a very big topic in geriatrics, and we know that patients that end up falling, have increased morbidity and mortality from things like hip fractures or head trauma or just not getting back to their former state of health. So I think things that we can do as providers and as patients to promote fall prevention is very important.
One of the things that I like to talk to my patients about is home safety, and making sure that things around the home are placed so that falls will be less likely. And that will help to improve their quality of life. The number one place that patients fall is in the bathroom because of the slick surface and the water and I think having grab bars installed around the bathroom, making sure that the tub isn't slick. Some patients even go to the extent of switching their tub out for a walk-in shower, you know, if that's possible given the space and money. Being extra, extra careful in the bathroom is very important.
Host: And in addition to those structural measures, are there active measures that aging people can take to preserve their balance and make it less likely that they'll fall?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Yeah, I think exercise is really important and unfortunately with the pandemic we've seen people aren't getting out and getting exercise as much as they did before the pandemic. I had patients who before COVID hit, they would go to the mall and exercise or walk around the neighborhood and exercise, or even just going to the grocery store, you know, that was good exercise. And since the pandemic hit, you know, and people, especially the elderly were very afraid to go out; we've seen a huge decline in strength and balance, and unfortunately, we've seen more falls occur as well.
Host: So that brings us to another really important topic, which is designing a safe and effective exercise plan and maybe hand in hand with nutrition. What do people need to do? You know, they may have been tremendous athletes when they were younger. How do they preserve or build on or, maybe they were never athletes. Is it too late to start?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: No, it's never too late to start. And here at the University of Illinois, there is a program called the Lifetime Fitness Program. It is for patients 55 and older, and it's specifically geared for the older adults to keep them active and to make use of the wonderful facilities that we have here in Champaign Urbana.
Host: That's fantastic. What are some of the things that people can do if they come to that facility or even do in their own homes?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Right. So joining a gym is wonderful cause then you don't have to buy your own equipment. So there are several programs at the U of I or at the YMCA or Silver Sneakers around town. That is very helpful for keeping people active. And I tell my patients, you know, because I know it's can be expensive you know, having these outside facilities, but just doing things around the home. So having a treadmill or a, a stationary bicycle or some free weights, handy in the home. I think it's very helpful, any little bit of exercise is a positive.
Host: So anything that you can and will do easily, perhaps instead of grand plans, what's what's right at hand.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Right. I mean, I had one patient tell me just last week, he raked his lawn and collected 12 bags of compost, from leaves and sticks. And I, said that's wonderful. That's good for your back, just getting out in the fresh air, and then beautifying his home and his yard as well. And I think that's important that we try our best to do what we can at any age.
Host: Now when we think about exercise, that often goes hand in hand with nutrition. I've read that as a middle-aged person, I should start upping my protein intake. Are there changes that we should be thinking about with our diets as we age?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I think protein is really important, and I find that that's something that a lot of people miss because of either they have trouble chewing meat, or trouble swallowing that comes with age. Many of our older patients, especially, getting into the upper eighties, nineties, will be limiting their diet because they have trouble digesting or chewing certain types of foods. So I think, getting enough protein is really important. I do recommend that if you feel like you're not getting enough protein to supplement that with protein shakes.
Host: Great. You know, you talked about difficulty with chewing and swallowing, and that kind of brings us to dental health. Our teeth also age, and that can have a really profound impact on our diet with time. How do we need to be thinking about dental health during aging?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I think preventative is great. I have teenagers at home and they're not very good at keeping up with dental hygiene, and I keep reminding them that when you're 80, you will want to have as many teeth or you know, if not all your teeth, you know, it needs to last for many, many years. So I think starting when you're young, by going to the dentist every six months, taking good care of your teeth will be helpful, so that you don't end up having poor dentition or dentures, when you're older.
Host: Is there a point at which it's too late or can you still get in there to the dentist and have him take care of things?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: As a geriatrician, I feel like it's never too late. I have patients in their eighties and nineties that are trying new things and traveling and doing things they've never done before, so I, I feel like as long as you're breathing, it's never too late.
Host: Hmm. That's a great example. Do you have any final thoughts you want to leave us with today?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I think, with the pandemic, we're in a very unusual situation. We're still, people are afraid to do normal activities and who knows whether it'll be, how many more years this will continue. I just encourage my patients to try to remain active, to take care of their self physically and mentally, and socialize, try to maintain those connections with their friends, their community, and their family. Cause I think all of that, it plays a very important role in healthy aging.
Host: Those are some wise and inspiring words for all of us at every age. Dr. Amy Yu-Ballard, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Oh, thank you.
Host: For more information and to get connected with one of our providers, please visit carle.org. And that wraps up this episode of Expert Insights with the Carle Foundation Hospital. I'm Dr. David Hill.
Dr. David Hill (Host): This is Expert Insights with the Carle Foundation Hospital and I'm Dr. David Hill. Today we're talking with Dr. Amy Yu-Ballard, MD, PhD and Clinical Assistant Professor of Geriatrics at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Yu-Ballard welcome.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Thank you. Thank you very much.
Host: As someone who suddenly finds himself kind of right at the center of middle age, I find myself increasingly concerned with issues of healthy aging. So I am thrilled that you're here to talk with us today.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Yes, I'm happy to share any information.
Host: So it really is all about balance, not just figuratively, but also in a very real way, literally. What can people do as they age to prevent falls, which can be life threatening in some circumstances?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I agree with you. I think fall prevention is a very big topic in geriatrics, and we know that patients that end up falling, have increased morbidity and mortality from things like hip fractures or head trauma or just not getting back to their former state of health. So I think things that we can do as providers and as patients to promote fall prevention is very important.
One of the things that I like to talk to my patients about is home safety, and making sure that things around the home are placed so that falls will be less likely. And that will help to improve their quality of life. The number one place that patients fall is in the bathroom because of the slick surface and the water and I think having grab bars installed around the bathroom, making sure that the tub isn't slick. Some patients even go to the extent of switching their tub out for a walk-in shower, you know, if that's possible given the space and money. Being extra, extra careful in the bathroom is very important.
Host: And in addition to those structural measures, are there active measures that aging people can take to preserve their balance and make it less likely that they'll fall?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Yeah, I think exercise is really important and unfortunately with the pandemic we've seen people aren't getting out and getting exercise as much as they did before the pandemic. I had patients who before COVID hit, they would go to the mall and exercise or walk around the neighborhood and exercise, or even just going to the grocery store, you know, that was good exercise. And since the pandemic hit, you know, and people, especially the elderly were very afraid to go out; we've seen a huge decline in strength and balance, and unfortunately, we've seen more falls occur as well.
Host: So that brings us to another really important topic, which is designing a safe and effective exercise plan and maybe hand in hand with nutrition. What do people need to do? You know, they may have been tremendous athletes when they were younger. How do they preserve or build on or, maybe they were never athletes. Is it too late to start?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: No, it's never too late to start. And here at the University of Illinois, there is a program called the Lifetime Fitness Program. It is for patients 55 and older, and it's specifically geared for the older adults to keep them active and to make use of the wonderful facilities that we have here in Champaign Urbana.
Host: That's fantastic. What are some of the things that people can do if they come to that facility or even do in their own homes?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Right. So joining a gym is wonderful cause then you don't have to buy your own equipment. So there are several programs at the U of I or at the YMCA or Silver Sneakers around town. That is very helpful for keeping people active. And I tell my patients, you know, because I know it's can be expensive you know, having these outside facilities, but just doing things around the home. So having a treadmill or a, a stationary bicycle or some free weights, handy in the home. I think it's very helpful, any little bit of exercise is a positive.
Host: So anything that you can and will do easily, perhaps instead of grand plans, what's what's right at hand.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Right. I mean, I had one patient tell me just last week, he raked his lawn and collected 12 bags of compost, from leaves and sticks. And I, said that's wonderful. That's good for your back, just getting out in the fresh air, and then beautifying his home and his yard as well. And I think that's important that we try our best to do what we can at any age.
Host: Now when we think about exercise, that often goes hand in hand with nutrition. I've read that as a middle-aged person, I should start upping my protein intake. Are there changes that we should be thinking about with our diets as we age?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I think protein is really important, and I find that that's something that a lot of people miss because of either they have trouble chewing meat, or trouble swallowing that comes with age. Many of our older patients, especially, getting into the upper eighties, nineties, will be limiting their diet because they have trouble digesting or chewing certain types of foods. So I think, getting enough protein is really important. I do recommend that if you feel like you're not getting enough protein to supplement that with protein shakes.
Host: Great. You know, you talked about difficulty with chewing and swallowing, and that kind of brings us to dental health. Our teeth also age, and that can have a really profound impact on our diet with time. How do we need to be thinking about dental health during aging?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I think preventative is great. I have teenagers at home and they're not very good at keeping up with dental hygiene, and I keep reminding them that when you're 80, you will want to have as many teeth or you know, if not all your teeth, you know, it needs to last for many, many years. So I think starting when you're young, by going to the dentist every six months, taking good care of your teeth will be helpful, so that you don't end up having poor dentition or dentures, when you're older.
Host: Is there a point at which it's too late or can you still get in there to the dentist and have him take care of things?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: As a geriatrician, I feel like it's never too late. I have patients in their eighties and nineties that are trying new things and traveling and doing things they've never done before, so I, I feel like as long as you're breathing, it's never too late.
Host: Hmm. That's a great example. Do you have any final thoughts you want to leave us with today?
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: I think, with the pandemic, we're in a very unusual situation. We're still, people are afraid to do normal activities and who knows whether it'll be, how many more years this will continue. I just encourage my patients to try to remain active, to take care of their self physically and mentally, and socialize, try to maintain those connections with their friends, their community, and their family. Cause I think all of that, it plays a very important role in healthy aging.
Host: Those are some wise and inspiring words for all of us at every age. Dr. Amy Yu-Ballard, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today.
Aimee Yu-Ballard, MD: Oh, thank you.
Host: For more information and to get connected with one of our providers, please visit carle.org. And that wraps up this episode of Expert Insights with the Carle Foundation Hospital. I'm Dr. David Hill.