Getting preventive health services is key to better health while aging. This post covers 26 preventive health tests recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and Medicare for some or all older adults. Use this list to find out which tests are recommended for people of a certain age, gender, or health status. A handy PDF cheatsheet is included.
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Cognitive Impairment in Aging: 10 Common Causes & 10 Things the Doctor Should Check
Have you been worried about an older person’s memory or thinking abilities? Maybe your parent has seemed more confused recently. Or you may have noticed that your aging spouse is repeating herself, or struggling to do things that didn’t use to pose much of a problem. These are very common concerns, and they often lead […]
4 Types of Brain-Slowing Medication to Avoid if You’re Worried About Memory
Many commonly-used medications affect memory brain function in the short-term and in the long-term. These can make Alzheimer’s symptoms worse, and have been linked to developing dementia. Here are the four types of medications to avoid, or use with caution.
Hospital Delirium: What to know & do
Delirium is a state of worse-than-usual mental confusion, which affects up to 30% of older adults during hospitalization and has been linked with acceleration of cognitive decline. It’s even more common after major surgery and in the intensive care unit. Learn to take steps to prevent this dangerous complication, and to get help quickly if you think your older relative has been affected.
Q&A: What to do if your aging parent becomes rude & resistant
Dr. K provides advice to a person who thinks her mom has dementia, and whose question starts with “My loving, Jewish mother is 92 and has turned into a rude, abusive foul-mouthed woman who I no longer recognize.”
Tools for caregivers: Keeping & Organizing Medical Information
Learn what type of medical information is most useful to keep copies of. This post lists the pros and cons of going low-tech versus high-tech with personal health records. I also cover three key questions to ask yourself, before choosing a method of keeping copies of medical information.
8 Things to Have the Doctor Check After an Aging Person Falls
Learn to prevent falls in older adults by making sure you get the right evaluation after a fall happens. Here are eight things that should be checked at the doctor’s office.
6 Steps to Better High Blood Pressure Treatment for Older Adults
Here’s how to know if you should be worried about hypertension treatment. Learn to make sure BP is measured accurately, what BP to aim for, & what to ask the doctor.
