Better Health While Aging

Dec 06 2024 25 ep. 44 mins 233
Better Health While Aging Podcast artwork

Practical information for aging health & family caregivers

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151 – Medications for Alzheimer’s: Efficacy, Side Effects & Alternatives

Dec 06 2024 30 mins  
Dr. K explains the drugs most often used for Alzheimer's & dementia, including donepezil, memantine, rivastigmine, and galantamine (Aricept, Namenda, Exelon, and Razadyne). She covers how well they work and common side-effects, along with other important ways to treat Alzheimer's.

150 - Caring for UTIs in Alzheimer's, Dementia and Nursing Homes

Dec 03 2024 39 mins  
Dr. K talks again with guest expert Chrissy Kistler, MD, about urinary tract infections (UTIs) in aging, this time with a focus on UTIs in memory loss, Alzheimer's, dementia, and also in nursing homes. Learn why UTIs are especially challenging in these older adults, plus more on prevention, symptoms and treatment.

149 – UTIs in Older Adults: Symptoms & Prevention

Nov 19 2024 52 mins  
Dr. K talks with guest expert Chrissy Kistler, MD, about urinary tract infections (UTIs) in aging, including symptoms, prevention, and treatment. They also discuss colonized bladders, the relationship between UTIs and confusion, when antibiotics might not be needed, and much more.

148 – How to Plan for Successful Aging

Nov 14 2024 35 mins  
Dr. K explains how to plan for aging and what to do today, to avoid common aging problems she routinely sees families struggling with. Learn how to prevent and delay common problems, and how to plan for your own more successful aging. She also covers the most common pathways at the end of life, and how to retain quality of life despite challenges.

147 – Essential Parts of Medicare & Open Enrollment

Nov 07 2024 46 mins  
Geriatric social worker Michelle Allen explains how the parts of Medicare (A, B, C, D) work and whether to consider Medicare Advantage. Plus what to do during Medicare Open Enrollment.

146 – Atrial Fibrillation in Older Adults: Watchman, Medications & Other Treatment Options

Oct 11 2024 58 mins  
Dr. Kernisan talks with Dr. Cara Pellegrini, an expert in cardiac electrophysiology, to discuss what older adults should know about atrial fibrillation (afib), including its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. They also discuss blood-thinners, the newer Watchman procedure, and special considerations when there is frailty or Alzheimer's.

145 – COVID & Fall 2024 Vaccines Update

Oct 04 2024 37 mins  
Geriatrician Dr. Kernisan provides an update on COVID & explains the 2024 vaccines for the three respiratory viruses likely to be very active this fall and winter.

143 – Unsafe Driving in Aging: What to Know & Do

Aug 23 2024 42 mins  
Dr. K explains what to know and what to do if you're concerned about unsafe driving in an older adult, including when driving should stop and what to know if you're dealing with Alzheimer's or a related type of dementia. Plus how to make driving safer for all older adults.

142 – Vitamin D: Why Less is More in Aging

Jul 30 2024 32 mins  
Dr. K covers why vitamin D is important, what the research shows about optimal blood levels, and what daily dose seems to be best for aging adults. She also covers the latest research suggesting high doses of vitamin D can be risky in aging, and what health benefits to expect from vitamin D.

141 – 4 Most Common Types of Dementia in Aging

May 08 2024 54 mins  
Dr. K explains the most common types of dementia in older adults, including Alzheimer's, Lewy body, vascular, and mixed. She also covers less common types, when to get more diagnosis, and more.