Blog
Caring for Your Bones as You Age
We’ve all seen bent over little old ladies, spines almost folded in two, walking gingerly, slowly, down the street. But how does that happen? It’s important to remember that bones are a bit like the...
Dementia Caregiver: Taking Care of Yourself
Caring for someone with dementia is a stressful and exhausting situation - even more so if the person with dementia is a relative or loved one. It is a 24-hour, nonstop position of great...
Benefits of Telehealth for Geriatric Care
In the modern age of digital technology, many may assume that the older generations cannot keep up and that they cannot adapt to new forms of communication. However, in general, this is simply...
Dementia Caregiver Support Resources
People don't like to talk about the mental decline of the elderly because it reminds them that such issues could affect them in the future. While Alzheimer's is the major scare, common dementia is...
Antibiotics Don’t Always Treat Agitation
It’s been busy out there. I’ve heard a lot about people blaming behavior on bladder infections. Well, sometimes, but all I see is that elders going to the emergency room for agitation often come out...
The Power of Music
Original post date: 11/20/2015 Can something usually intended for leisure be combined for therapy? Music is proving to be extremely helpful in medicine by providing behavioral and emotional support...
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...
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...
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...
The Meds Matter: Adverse Drug Reactions
Original post date: 1/4/2017 Adverse drug reactions are an all-too-common cause of hospitalization for elders. Almost half of Americans age 65 and older take five or more medications daily* and many...
Early Dementia: Balancing Independence and Safety
In many ways, the beginnings and early stages of dementia can be among the most challenging. Your loved one may not recognize subtle changes in his cognition. You may not be sure exactly when to...
Can Diet Reverse Dementia
While no diet can fully reverse dementia, proper nutrition plays a crucial role in brain health. Diets rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and essential nutrients may slow cognitive decline. The...
The Challenges of Managing Medications
About half of Americans age 65 and older take five or more medications daily and many mix prescription and over-the-counter medications with vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements. With each...
Can My Parent with Dementia Have Sex
Intimacy is a natural part of life, even for those with dementia. However, cognitive decline can raise concerns about consent, safety, and emotional well-being. Families and caregivers should...
The Cost of Being an Elder
Original post date: 12/10/2015. Revised 4/15/2021 In a time when American pharmaceutical companies are buying the rights to old medications such as morphine, colchicine (for gout- renamed Colcrys...