The Better Ageing Podcast

As we have talked about in previous episodes of The Better Ageing Podcast, falls later in life can often herald a rapid decline in independence and quality of life. We know that there are many preventive measures that can be taken to improve balance such as keeping active and seeking the help and guidance of a physiotherapist. However one other tool to improve balance and increase mobility are mobility and gait aids. 

In this episode of The Better Ageing Podcast we're talking about gait and mobility aids, specifically what they are and who needs them. As we discuss, gait and mobility aids shouldn't be feared, rather they should be embraced when recommended as part of an exercise and physiotherapy program, as they are a key tool in sustaining and improving independence. 

As always we hope this episode helps you or someone you care for.

Show notes/ topics covered:

0:14 - Welcome 
1:00 - Introduction to gait and mobility aids 
2:30 - Who is need of a mobility aid? 
4:42 - What are mobility aids for? 
7:20 - Common types of aids 
9:04 - They shouldn't be recommended in isolation 
10:22 - Getting the right size stick/frame 
11:10 - How do you know it is time for a mobility aid 
12:55 - Electric scooters and wheelchairs 
14:07 - Take home message 

About the experts: 

Jason Lee and Dr Jane Fyfield have over 45 years of experience working with elderly Australians. Jason Lee runs his own physiotherapy practice, with a focus on strength and conditioning programs for over 60 year olds. Dr Jane Fyfield works as a consultant to aged care services, is a former Medical Director, and has worked in the public, private and government sectors as a clinician and a non-clinical consultant. 

It's time we talked about incontinence. 

Too often incontinence is dismissed as 'just part of the ageing process', yet over 4 million Australians suffer from bowel or urinary incontinence, both young and old, making it an extremely common condition, and one that as we find out in this podcast, is quite treatable. 

Despite its commonality, incontinence is often deemed an embarrassing or socially awkward thing to talk about. This means that sufferers often stay silent when they could be getting treatment and advice that empowers them to take back their continence.

In this podcast we talk about what incontinence is, and the key signs to look out for, before talking about what someone can do to get the help they deserve. (Of course, the first step is often to book an appointment with your GP!)

As always, we hope this episode helps you or someone you care for. 

Show notes/ topics covered:

0:14 - Welcome 
0:53 - Incontinence is not just part of the ageing process 
1:55 - We need to talk about it more 
3:02 - Where does someone go to first for help? 
5:20 - A definition of incontinence 
6:57 - Which health professionals can help? 
8:22 - Causal medical conditions need to be managed carefully 
10:20 - Good toilet habits 
11:36 - Pelvic floor physio 
12:20 - Take home message 

About the experts: 

Jason Lee and Dr Jane Fyfield have over 45 years of experience working with elderly Australians. Jason Lee runs his own physiotherapy practice, with a focus on strength and conditioning programs for over 60 year olds. Dr Jane Fyfield works as a consultant to aged care services, is a former Medical Director, and has worked in the public, private and government sectors as a clinician and a non-clinical consultant. 

Pain is a topic that is frequently talked about on The Better Ageing Podcast - often it is the reason that many of us head in to see our doctor or physiotherapist. Thankfully, pain is typically a temporary  sign that something isn't quite right, but what about when pain doesn't go away?

In this episode we're talking about Chronic Pain; pain that lingers longer than it should, often with no obvious cause or acute injury. We take a look at some of the causes of chronic pain, the difference between chronic and acute pain, and discuss strategies for dealing with chronic pain (hint: 'just putting up with it' is not one of them!)

So if you or someone you know has struggled with ongoing pain, then we hope this episode helps and that you are able to take control of your pain to live a healthier and happier life.

Show notes/ topics covered:

0:19 - Welcome 
1:31 - Introduction to chronic pain 
5:18 - Everyone deserves to have their pain treated 
6:57 - What isn't chronic pain? 
9:19 - Chronic pain is often pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks
10:35 - Where do you go to discuss your chronic pain? 
12:25 - Retraining your relationship with pain 
14:58 - Make sure you get some help for your pain 

About the experts: 

Jason Lee and Dr Jane Fyfield have over 45 years of experience working with elderly Australians. Jason Lee runs his own physiotherapy practice, with a focus on strength and conditioning programs for over 60 year olds. Dr Jane Fyfield works as a consultant to aged care services, is a former Medical Director, and has worked in the public, private and government sectors as a clinician and a non-clinical consultant. 

The coronavirus pandemic has rocked the world, however one of the most amazing things to witness has been the dedication and collaboration of the world's scientists in the development of multiple vaccine options to help stop the spread of Covid-19 disease. 

In this episode we're looking at the vaccine options available in Australia, discussing the proposed rollout of the vaccine, and reminding everyone about the importance of the continuing to practice the 'CovidSafe' behaviours that have been instilled in us over the last year and a bit. 

We encourage you to visit the Government Health website to find out more about the vaccine and when you can expect to be able to do your bit. https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines

Show notes/ topics covered:

0:20 - Welcome 
1:50 - Covid-19 vaccines in Australia 
5:35 - Rollout timeline 
6:50 - Talk to your GP 
8:20 - CovidSafe behaviour refresher 
11:32 - Concluding thoughts 

About the experts: 

Jason Lee and Dr Jane Fyfield have over 45 years of experience working with elderly Australians. Jason Lee runs his own physiotherapy practice, with a focus on strength and conditioning programs for over 60 year olds. Dr Jane Fyfield works as a consultant to aged care services, is a former Medical Director, and has worked in the public, private and government sectors as a clinician and a non-clinical consultant. 

After emerging in 2020 as a safe way to keep in contact with your health professionals, in this episode we're talking Telehealth; how it has changed, and how to get the most out of your next online consultation ...

It's episode 15 of The Better Ageing Podcast, the second in our new shorter format featuring easy to follow advice from our experts geriatrician Dr Jane Fyfield and physiotherapist Jason Lee. 

Prior to 2020, the only way many of us would have considered going to the doctor or physio was in person, often planning ahead of time what to read in the waiting room. However due to the necessity to stay home last year, telehealth emerged as a way to stay in touch with your health professionals and continue consultations in a safe way. 

Now, over a year on from the rise of telehealth, and hopefully having mastered the challenges of online video communication, we're discussing all things telehealth; how it's changed, what to expect in a consult, what to prepare, and asking the question, has telehealth become the new norm for health consultations for 2021 and beyond? 

Whilst the question may remain unanswered for now, telehealth does have many benefits and advantages over physical consultations that go beyond the physical distancing considerations ... the fact that practitioners are typically always on time being one as Jane tells us! 

So enjoy, and we hope you make the most of your next online consultation after listening! 

Show notes/ topics covered:

0:25 - Welcome 
1:24 - Telehealth continues 
3:27 - Thinking of telehealth consultations as virtual consultations 
6:58 - How to prepare for a telehealth consultation 
9:55 - Do some conditions not suit telehealth? 
13:08 - Telehealth is here to stay 

About the experts: 

Jason Lee and Dr Jane Fyfield have over 45 years of experience working with elderly Australians. Jason Lee runs his own physiotherapy practice, with a focus on strength and conditioning programs for over 60 year olds. Dr Jane Fyfield works as a consultant to aged care services, is a former Medical Director, and has worked in the public, private and government sectors as a clinician and a non-clinical consultant. 

Lucky for some, unlucky for others we're back for episode 13 of The Better Ageing Podcast!

In this episode we're discussing the easing back of coronavirus restrictions in Australia and in particular how to return to exercise safely, and maintaining new found hygiene and physical distancing behaviours.

Jason explains how to manage returning to exercise or activity that you may have altered or stopped due to coronavirus, with a focus on managing your load to prevent injury, before sharing his tips on ensuring you have good posture given you might have increased your amount of sitting recently. Jane then discusses the importance of keeping up the habits you've learnt during isolation to ensure you minimise the risk of spreading infection and avoiding higher risk situations.

As this has been recorded from three separate locations using Zoom, rather than our traditional podcast studio, you may notice different audio quality, and the occasional internet delay (read: Jason's internet), so please bear with us!

Show notes/ topics covered:

1:36 - Welcome 
5:36 - What does returning to exercise safely mean? 
8:40 - Two extremes: exercising a lot more or doing a lot less 
11:52 - Posture tips 
13:36 - Protocols at health practices 
15:16 - Maintaining new hygiene behaviours 
19:40 - Be mindful of your behaviour and high-risk situations 
21:04 - What about masks? 
35:50 - Audience question: Should I keep doing video health consults or go back into my clinic? 
29:09 - Closing story: A genie that only gives one wish

Happy New Year! It might be a tad late, but we're extremely excited to be back for 2020 with Episode 11 of The Better Ageing Podcast.

In this episode, Jane provides timely advice on how to avoid spreading infections as the world grapples with the new coronavirus. Then, Jason discusses post-operative treatment and rehabilitation following orthopaedic surgery with the help from Jane's personal knee replacement experience. 

As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode. Please share it with those that you care for, and remember, we'd love to submit your question to have it answered by Jane and Jason on the show! 

Show notes/ topics covered:

1:36 - Welcome 
5:00 - How to not spread infections: introduction 
5:58 - What is a virus? 
8:53 - Jane's top tips for avoiding the spread 
13:50 - Are masks a good idea? 
17:08 - Summary of ways to avoid the spread 
20:31 - Post-operative rehabilitation 
21:21 - What is orthopaedic surgery? 
23:25 - The work after surgery is as important as the surgery itself 
26:30 - Rehabilitation first steps: the hospital  
28:52 - What happens when you're discharged after surgery? 
32:05 - Audience question: difference between tennis and golfer's elbow? 
34:54 - Closing story 

Happy holidays! In this bonus episode we're spreading the festive cheer and bringing you the 10 closing stories from our first 10 episodes. 

We hope this brings you a smile or two this holiday season, and maybe even gives you a joke that you can add to your repertoire to pull out at your next party. 

As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode.

Jokes:

1:21 - The Italian tomato garden 
3:17 - Old ice fisherman 
4:19 - Long-lost friends find a magic lamp 
5:24 - Old man goes to the doctor 
6:15 - Old man goes to the zoo 
7:01 - Dog goes to the vet 
8:21 - Two cannibals 
9:56 - Man stopped by the police 
10:57 - The Pope goes driving  
12:22 - Recurring dreams 

It's the tenth episode of The Better Ageing Podcast! This episode we discuss continence and in particular urinary incontinence, and a common physio complaint, Tennis Elbow.

Jane breaks down urinary incontinence and tells us that it can be both managed and continence can be restored, and highlights the importance of talking to someone about this condition which can sometimes be ignored due to embarrassment. Jason then explores the frustrating condition of tennis elbow and provides easy to follow advice for both rehabilitation and prevention.

As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode. Please share it with those that you care for. 

Show notes/ topics covered:

1:37 - Welcome 
4:41 - Continence 
6:02 - Urinary incontinence 
7:37 - When should you worry about it? 
11:48 - Pelvic floor exercises 
13:11 - What contributes to incontinence 
14:35 - A myth about incontinence 
18:14 - Tennis Elbow
20:38 - Why does tennis elbow occur? 
23:48 - Treatments 
27:25 - Exercises for Tennis Elbow  
28:44 - How to avoid  Tennis Elbow  
31:28 - Audience question: when to start worrying about posture 
35:12 - Closing story 

Our ninth episode of The Better Ageing Podcast has come just in time for the warmer weather down under! In this episode we discuss good posture, and how to manage the heat in the warmer months. 

Together Jason and Jane provide easy to follow advice that will get you thinking about your own posture, with tips on how to achieve a good posture, and what the effect posture has on our body. Geriatrician Jane then shares her advice on how to avoid heat stress, and the warning signs to look out for, particularly for those elderly loved ones you care for. 

Show notes/ topics covered:

1:30 - Welcome 
3:55 - Introduction to posture 
6:33 - Why is good posture important? 
7:38 - Less stress on your muscular-skeletal system 
10:02 - What does poor posture look like? 
11:32 - Are you born with it? 
15:18 - Tips to achieve good posture 
20:22 - Posture in the office 
24:37 - Heat stress 
28:40 - What to look out for 
30:35 - Planning for the heat 
34:37 - Audience question: too many questions for my doctor appointment 
38:52 - Closing story