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Better Health While Aging

Practical information for aging health & family caregivers

  • Popular Topics
    • Preventing Falls in Aging Adults
    • Medication Safety
    • Dementia, including Alzheimer’s
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146 – Atrial Fibrillation in Older Adults: Watchman, Medications & Other Treatment Options

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
146 – Atrial Fibrillation in Older Adults: Watchman, Medications & Other Treatment Options
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In This Episode:

Dr. K talks about atrial fibrillation (afib) with Cara Pellegrini, MD, a specialist in cardiac electrophysiology and an expert on the Watchman device and other ways to treat this common heart arrhythmia. They cover:
[Read more…]

145 – COVID & Fall 2024 Vaccines Update

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
145 – COVID & Fall 2024 Vaccines Update
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In This Episode:

Dr. K provides an update on COVID so far this year, and explains the available vaccines for the three respiratory viruses likely to be very active this fall and winter: COVID, influenza, and RSV. She also addresses other ways to protect oneself this winter.
She covers:

  • 2024 vaccines for older adults
  • COVID so far in 2024
  • Why COVID remains worse than flu
  • COVID vaccines for 2024-25
  • Flu vaccines for 2024
  • What to know about RSV vaccine
  • How to stay healthier this winter

Note: For the masks Dr. K recommends, you can get the 3M V-flex here https://amzn.to/3OxrsRY, and the Powecom KN95 here https://amzn.to/3W9frXf

These are Amazon affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, thank you!

[Read more…]

144 – Anemia in Aging: Symptoms and Solutions

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
144 – Anemia in Aging: Symptoms and Solutions
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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains important information about anemia symptoms to watch for, questions to ask your doctor, and the 10 most common causes of anemia in aging adults.
She covers:

  • Why anemia is important
  • Defining anemia: CBC, hemoglobin & hematocrit
  • Symptoms of anemia
  • Causes of anemia
  • Causes of blood loss and iron deficiency
  • Diagnosing anemia
  • Testing for causes of anemia
  • When to transfuse for anemia
  • What to ask doctors about anemia
  • When to take iron for anemia

[Read more…]

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

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
143 – Unsafe Driving in Aging: What to Know & Do
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In This Episode:

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. She covers:

  • How aging impacts driving abilities
  • Common causes of unsafe driving in older adults
  • How to make driving safer in aging
  • Driving warning signs to look out for
  • How Alzheimer’s/dementia affects driving
  • When it’s time to stop driving
  • What to do if someone won’t stop driving
  • How to get help if you’re concerned
  • Her approach to driving in aging and in dementia

[Read more…]

142 – Vitamin D: Why Less is More in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
142 – Vitamin D: Why Less is More in Aging
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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains why the best dose of vitamin D for older adults is lower than you might think. She explains why vitamin D is important and how the latest research suggests that high doses of vitamin D might actually be risky for older adults. This episode covers:

  • What is vitamin D
  • What is an optimal level of vitamin D
  • When to test vitamin D levels
  • What is vitamin D deficiency
  • Official vitamin D intake recommendations
  • Key vitamin D research findings
  • Vitamin D and fall prevention
  • The vitamin D dose she recommends for older adults

[Read more…]

141 – 4 Most Common Types of Dementia in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
141 – 4 Most Common Types of Dementia in Aging
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In This Episode:

Dr. K goes beyond Alzheimer’s and explains what older adults and families should know about the most common types of dementia in older adults. She covers:

  • The 4 most common types of dementia in older adults
  • How doctors diagnose the specific type of dementia
  • Mixed dementia and less common causes of dementia
  • The most common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia
  • Which types of dementia might be treatable
  • Newer types of dementia pathology, such as LATE, hippocampal sclerosis, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy
  • Dr. K’s approach to dementia type

[Read more…]

140 – How to Exercise to Age Well

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
140 – How to Exercise to Age Well
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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how exercise helps older adults maintain strength and independence, and covers the four types of exercise all older adults should be doing regularly. She also discusses why walking isn’t enough, how to avoid injuries and special situations in geriatrics, such as exercising when an older person is frail or has Alzheimer’s. This episode covers:

  • The benefits of exercise in aging
  • Is walking good exercise?
  • Strength training in aging
  • Aerobic exercise in aging
  • Balance exercises for seniors
  • Flexibility exercises in aging
  • Best exercises for fall prevention
  • How to start and maintain an exercise routine
  • Managing risks of exercise and avoiding injuries
  • Exercise to counter frailty and sarcopenia
  • Exercise when there’s Alzheimer’s or dementia
  • Getting someone else to exercise
  • The role of protein and strength training

[Read more…]

139 – How to Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging
Better Health While Aging
139 – How to Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment
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In This Episode:

Dr. Kernisan explains what all older adults and families should know about the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a common memory condition that affects 20-25% of older adults. She  discusses scientifically tested approaches to treating and managing MCI and improving brain health, including the role of medications, supplements, treating hearing loss, exercise and more. In this episode, she covers:

  • What is MCI 
  • How MCI is related to Alzheimer’s and dementia
  • What to do if you suspect MCI
  • Scientifically proven approaches to treating and managing MCI 
  • What to know about the “Bredesen protocol” for MCI
  • What to know about Leqembi and anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer’s
  • How Dr. K treats MCI
  • Common MCI pitfalls to avoid

    [Read more…]

    138 – How to Promote Brain Health & Memory in Aging

    by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

    Better Health While Aging Podcast Cover
    Better Health While Aging
    138 – How to Promote Brain Health & Memory in Aging
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    In This Episode:

    Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH, explains the best ways to boost brain health in aging, to help memory and thinking, as well as to prevent cognitive decline. Learn which approaches geriatricians find most effective, plus which vitamins and supplements are likely to help. Dr. K also covers emotional well-being in aging, and how this affects cognitive health.

    Topics discussed:

    • Helping older adults maintain brain health and memory
    • Why promote your brain health
    • The difference between normal and abnormal brain changes with aging
    • FAQ: How to know what’s happening in your brain
    • Why emotional well-being matters
    • 3 key ways to boost brain health
    • How to be positive about your aging
    • What’s good for brain health
    • What’s bad for brain health
    • If you’re worried about someone else’s brain

    [Read more…]

    137 – Aging Life Care (and Geriatric Care Managers) Explained: Who They Are & How They Help

    by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

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    Better Health While Aging
    137 - Aging Life Care (and Geriatric Care Managers) Explained: Who They Are & How They Help
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    In This Episode:

    Geriatrician Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH, teams up with her trusted geriatric care manager colleague Michelle Allen, LCSW, to explain how Aging Life Care Professionals (also known as geriatric care managers) can help older adults and their families. They cover:

    • Why geriatricians love geriatric care managers
    • Aging Life Care Professionals vs Geriatric Care Managers
    • What is an Aging Life Care Professional & how do they help
    • How to find an Aging Life Care Professional
    • What is a certified or professional geriatric care manager?
    • Other types of eldercare experts
    • How to hire an Aging Life Care Professional

    [Read more…]

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