Are New Meds Necessarily Better Meds?
Doctors are people too. And like all people, doctors find themselves attracted to the newest and shiniest things. This goes for medicines, too. We doctors like to use the latest drugs. However, in my geriatric house calls practice, I’ve found that the newest meds...Can Dementia Patients Drive a Vehicle
Driving requires quick decision-making, focus, and good judgment. As dementia progresses, these abilities decline, making driving unsafe. Families should monitor signs of impaired driving, such as confusion, getting lost, or slow reaction times. Having conversations...My elder is suffering from tooth pain. May I give him a tranquilizer?
That is a challenging question. When an elder has a sore tooth, he may be yelling or lashing out at his caregivers. In a situation like this, it’s only human to want to give the patient whatever’s necessary to help relieve their pain and anxiety, not to mention their...