Denial and the Family

Nov 25, 2014 | Caregivers

As I do geriatric house calls around the Bay Area, adult children and other relatives of my patients often say, “He’s just not the way he used to be. Why can’t he be the way he used to be?” Children and other family members often struggle to accept that an elder has...

Always Check the Meds First

Nov 20, 2014 | Caregivers, Health, Legal Issues/Financial Abuse

Recently, I saw an elderly old man who seemed to have Parkinson’s disease, and perhaps Lewy body dementia (see footnote). His family was having a terrible time coping with his behavior. Then, I noticed that he was taking two medications, Reglan (metoclopramide) and...

Things Really Become Different As You Age

Nov 5, 2014 | Caregivers

Elders sometimes tell me that they feel younger on the inside than they do on the outside. I get that. I think most of us form a mental picture of ourselves somewhere between 25 and 35. Our mental image doesn’t change, even as our bodies keep getting older and older....

Guest post: Palliative Care by the People, for the People: A Call for a New Grassroots Movement

Oct 29, 2014 | Caregivers

Excellent article by local RN and author J. Redwing Keyssar What Do We Want? Humane, holistic affordable health care especially at the end of our lives When Do We Want It? Now! Most “Baby Boomers” — numbering in the millions — are going to die during the next 25-40...

Doctor, How Long?

Oct 23, 2014 | Caregivers

As I do geriatric house calls around the San Francisco Bay Area, I am asked this question all the time. Like many areas in geriatrics, the expected life span of a patient is often quite difficult to pinpoint. This is a huge reason why there’s a growing trend for...