Otago, a highly effective falls prevention program developed at New Zealand’s University of Otago and modified at UNC’s Center for Aging and Health, continues to find fans and prevent falls. More than 7000 physical therapists in 15 countries have taken our Carolina Geriatric Education Center’s (CGEC) online course.
Otago is a series of 17 structured, progressive strength and balance exercises designed to assess balance and strengthen lower extremities. Lower extremity weakness is the primary reason for falls. As people age, they lose the muscle fibers that are responsible for power.
When older adults or their caretakers consider exercise options, often their first plan is simply to walk more, since walking seems a logical and available option. But for someone with weak legs, hips, knees, and calves, walking without strengthening introduces greater risk of falling. Otago’s program to develop lower extremity strength and improve balance provides a protective effect against falls and helps prevent injury if a person does fall.
The Otago course is designed for physical therapists to use with people in their home. The exercises, such as calve raises, half squats, heel walking, and side leg lifts, are usually done while standing and start with the patient using a chair, wall, or table for balance. The progression might include adding weights or doing the exercise one-handed or with no hands. Therapists don’t prescribe all 17 exercises, just a subset that best addresses weak areas.
PT’s see patients in their homes for 4 times over 8 weeks and teach people how to safely continue the exercises on their own. After the initial training, PTs call once a month to check in, with home-based follow up at 6 months and one year. The program does not always require a full year. A fast-progressing patient might improve enough in several months to safely take up other activities like tai chi or walking.
Exercise keeps brains and bodies younger. A program of CDC- and AARP-endorsed Otago, as prescribed by a PT, can help anyone gain strength, prevent falls, and safely exercise.