What I Took Away From Dr. Courtney Conley’s Conversation on Mobility

In the medical alert industry, we spend a lot of time focusing on the reactive side of things: fall detection, emergency response, and making sure help is available when it's needed. But prevention is just as important.

I came across this podcast episode from Steven Bartlett featuring Dr. Courtney Conley, a foot and gait specialist. She shares some important insight on how foot strength and mobility decline with age, and how that directly impacts fall risk.

One stat that stood out to me: after age 50, foot strength declines by 35%. And yet, many of us are still choosing footwear based on how it looks, rather than what it does for our stability and long-term health.

The conversation covers:

• Why foot pain often doesn’t start in the feet
  
  
• How common footwear may actually make us weaker
  
  
• Simple daily exercises to improve balance and reduce fall risk
  
  
• What to look for in supportive footwear
  
  
• The importance of walking as part of daily health
  
  

From my own experience speaking with thousands of seniors over the phone, the biggest difference I notice between someone who is at serious risk of falling and someone who isn’t usually comes down to one thing: routine exercise. And not just walking, but activities that build flexibility and strength.

It also comes down to staying mobile. The people who sit for most of the day and rarely move around tend to see a quicker decline, physically and often mentally too. Even just getting up regularly, walking around the house, doing a few stretches, or standing while watching TV can make a noticeable difference over time.

This podcast is a helpful listen for anyone supporting aging parents or looking to stay mobile themselves. Prevention doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but it can make a real difference.

Watch the episode:
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“The Diary of a CEO – Dr. Courtney Conley”
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