Episode Archive - Page 16 of 16 - Better Health While Aging

006 – Interview: Surviving Cancer & Better Healthcare Through Being an e-Patient

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

006 – Interview: Surviving Cancer & Better Healthcare Through Being an e-Patient

00:00 / 39:37

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with “e-Patient Dave” deBronkart, a co-founder of the Society for Participatory Medicine. Dave is a well-known advocate for improving healthcare by encouraging people to become “equipped, enabled, and empowered” when it comes to their own healthcare. They discuss:

How getting information from an online patient community helped Dave survive a usually fatal cancer
What is an “e-patient,” and why being proactive leads to better healthcare
Why public access to health information is creating a sea change in the practice of medicine
How the patients’ rights movement is creating a culture change that some doctors find threatening
Why it’s better for patients and doctors to act as partners and “share the knowledge”
Practical tips on getting more informed regarding your own (or your family member’s) healthcare
What kinds of doctors to avoid, and how to get a second opinion

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005 – Interview: Otago & Proven Exercises for Fall Prevention

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 9 Comments

Better Health While Aging

005 – Interview: Otago & Proven Exercises for Fall Prevention

00:00 / 50:00

In This Episode:

Dr. K interviews Tiffany Shubert, PhD MPT, a practicing physical therapist on faculty at the University of North Carolina, and a leading expert on exercise programs for fall prevention. They discuss:

What types of exercise work best for fall prevention, and why
Why strength and balance exercises are so important for aging adults
Why walking is not enough, when it comes to fall prevention
Easy tests you can do at home, to check an older person’s leg strength and balance
What’s involved in the Otago Exercise Program, an exciting new physical therapy program proven to reduce falls in older adults and endorsed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
How to find Otago near you
Why any exercise or physical therapy program for fall prevention should involve exercises done in standing, that are challenging, that get more challenging over time, and that involve at least two hours/week of exercises
Other proven programs to reduce falls in older adults
Tips on doing fall prevention exercises in people with Alzheimers or other dementias

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004 – What to Do If You’re Worried About Falls

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

004 – What to Do If You're Worried About Falls

00:00 / 26:27

In This Episode:

Why older adults fall
How to identify underlying health risk factors and fall triggers, so that you can personalize your fall prevention plan
The three step process Dr. Kernisan uses to create a fall prevention plan for an older person
Medications that geriatricians often reduce or stop, to reduce fall risk
How blood pressure medication can increase fall risk, and a simple test to discuss with the doctor

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003 – Interview: Helping Reluctant Parents Address Memory Concerns

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 8 Comments

Better Health While Aging

003 – Interview: Helping Reluctant Parents Address Memory Concerns

00:00 / 45:00

In This Episode:

Dr. K interviews Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA MFT CMC, a past president of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers and the founder of Eldercare Services in the San Francisco Bay Area. They discuss:

How adult children can better approach aging parents, when there’s been concern about memory problems or financial transactions
What is a geriatric care manager (also known as an aging life care professional), and how they help families address memory concerns
How to find a geriatric care manager with the right counseling skills for your needs
How to get free help and advice from geriatric care managers and trained aging professionals
Why people often tell Linda they wish they’d gotten more help or information sooner

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002 – What to Do If You’re Worried About Someone’s Memory

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 8 Comments

Better Health While Aging

002 – What to Do If You're Worried About Someone's Memory

00:00 / 26:00

In This Episode:

Why it’s important to take action, if you notice memory or thinking problems
Common treatable medical problems that can cause or worsen memory and thinking
What to take note of, and what information to bring to the doctor
How to communicate with the doctor beforehand (which is especially useful if your parent or relative feeling defensive)
What should be covered during a preliminary medical evaluation for memory or thinking concerns

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001 – Introducing the Better Health While Aging Podcast

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

001 – Introducing the Better Health While Aging Podcast

00:00 / 26:13

In This Episode:

Dr. Kernisan introduces the Better Health in Aging podcast
We discuss three common questions people often ask Dr. K:
- What IS geriatrics?
- At what age should geriatrics care start?
- Do I need a geriatrician?
Dr. K introduces herself and explains more about why she’s starting this podcast.

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