The Better Health While Aging Podcast

Get practical health tips from a geriatrician and other experts! We discuss common health problems that affect people over age 60, the best ways to prevent and manage those problems, and we also often address common concerns and dilemmas that come up with aging parents and other older loved ones.

182 – 10 Medications Geriatricians Always Check to Prevent Falls in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

182 – 10 Medications Geriatricians Always Check to Prevent Falls in Aging

00:00 / 00:27:50

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains 10 types of medications to check to prevent falls in aging, especially if you’ve been falling, feeling unsteady, or are concerned about fall risk.

She covers:

Medications and fall prevention
Why medications matter for fall risk
3 key types of meds that cause falls
10 types of medication to review for fall prevention
What to do if you take these medications
Questions to ask your healthcare provider
What else to check for fall prevention

[Read more…]

181 – Hospital Delirium in Older Adults: Symptoms, Causes & Prevention

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

181 - Hospital Delirium in Older Adults: Symptoms, Causes & Prevention

00:00 / 00:38:19

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what hospital delirium is, why older adults are more vulnerable, and how it can be prevented, recognized, and treated.

She covers:

Introduction to hospital delirium
What delirium looks like
Why older adults are at higher risk
Common causes and triggers
How to prevent hospital delirium
How delirium is diagnosed
How hospital delirium is treated
Recovery after delirium
What families can do
Key takeaways

[Read more…]

180 – Earwax & Hearing Loss in Older Adults

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

180 - Earwax & Hearing Loss in Older Adults

00:00 / 00:20:49

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with audiologist Dr. Cliff Olson, AuD, about what older adults should know about earwax, hearing loss, and safe earwax removal.

They cover:

Introduction to earwax and hearing loss
What is earwax
Earwax and aging
How earwax affects hearing
Safe home earwax removal: what to know first
Shower rinsing and earwax prevention
Over-the-counter earwax drops
Why cotton swabs and ear tools can be risky
How audiology professionals remove earwax
Earwax and hearing aids
Final tips from Dr. Cliff Olson

[Read more…]

179 – Hearing Aids Not Working? An Audiologist Explains What Older Adults Should Know

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

179 - Hearing Aids Not Working? An Audiologist Explains What Older Adults Should Know

00:00 / 00:52:08

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with audiologist Dr. Cliff Olson about today’s best and most affordable options for treating age-related hearing loss. They cover:

What is an audiologist?
Medicare coverage for hearing loss
Best practices for a hearing evaluation
How to understand an audiogram
DIY hearing screeners and apps
Treatment options for mild-to-moderate hearing loss
AirPods and over-the-counter hearing aids
Treatment options for moderate-to-severe hearing loss
Why hearing aids sometimes “don’t work”
What is real ear measurement?
What to ask before getting hearing aids
Better hearing aid outcomes with best practices
Types of prescription hearing aids
How to choose the right hearing aid
If budget is a concern
Communication goals your hearing aid should address
Hearing aid fitting and follow-up process
How follow-up adjustments improve results
How long the brain takes to adjust to hearing aids
Why under-amplification can lead to poor results
Hearing loss & dementia
About Costco hearing aids
Final tips from Dr. Cliff [Read more…]

178 – Hearing Loss in Aging (Presbycusis)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

178 - Hearing Loss in Aging (Presbycusis)

00:00 / 00:27:18

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what to know about presbycusis, the medical term for age-related hearing loss, and why it’s worth identifying and treating hearing problems sooner rather than later.
She covers:

Why hearing loss matters in aging
What is age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)?
Signs and symptoms of hearing loss
Hearing loss and cognitive decline
Benefits of treating hearing loss
How to know if you have hearing loss
What to know about treating hearing loss
Options for treating hearing loss
Communication strategies that help
What to do if you’re concerned
If you’ve tried hearing aids and they didn’t work

[Read more…]

177 – Osteoporosis Medications Explained

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

177 – Osteoporosis Medications Explained

00:00 / 00:32:52

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what older adults should know about osteoporosis medications, including when they are usually recommended, how they work, and what side effects or precautions to discuss with your health provider. She covers:

Why boosting bone density matters
When to consider medication for bone density
Hormone replacement therapy for bone loss
What to do before starting osteoporosis medication
How bone density medications work
Bisphosphonates: first-line osteoporosis treatment
Raloxifene and denosumab/Prolia
Anabolic osteoporosis medications
Romosozumab/Evenity
Starting medication after a fracture
Monitoring bone density during treatment
Osteoporosis medications for men
What if you don’t want medication?
Questions to ask your health provider

[Read more…]

176 – Boosting Bone Density: Best Ways to Prevent Fractures as You Age

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

176 – Boosting Bone Density: Best Ways to Prevent Fractures as You Age

00:00 / 00:37:48

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how bone density changes with aging and proven ways that older adults can strengthen bones and lower fracture risk. She covers:

Why boosting bone density matters
How bone density changes with aging
How a DEXA scan checks bone density
Osteopenia vs. osteoporosis
Calcium and vitamin D
Alcohol, smoking, and bone loss
Medications that increase bone density
Best ways to improve bone density
Caffeine, protein, collagen, and supplements
What to do if you’re concerned
How to protect your bones

[Read more…]

175 – How to Prevent Falls in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

175 – How to Prevent Falls in Aging

00:00 / 00:31:42

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks about the most common causes of falling in later life and how geriatricians evaluate falls. She also explains the fall prevention approaches she uses the most.

She covers:

Why do older adults fall?
Common causes and risk factors for falls
Why medical evaluation matters
What a fall evaluation should include
Top ways to prevent falls
Do canes and walkers help?
Dr. K’s approach to fall prevention
What to do if you’re concerned

[Read more…]

174 – “Beers Criteria” Explained: Medications Older Adults Should Avoid

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

174 – "Beers Criteria” Explained: Medications Older Adults Should Avoid

00:00 / 00:31:51

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks about one of the most important medication safety tools in geriatrics: the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria® — often called the “Beers List.” It’s an evidence-based list of medications that should be avoided in older adults when possible, or used with extra caution.

She covers:

Why the Beers List matters
Why aging makes medications riskier
What is the AGS Beers Criteria?
Guided walkthrough: how use the Beers Criteria
Common higher-risk medication groups Dr. K looks for
Questions to ask your health providers

[Read more…]

173 – Kidney Disease in Aging: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

173 - Kidney Disease in Aging: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

00:00 / 00:32:29

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how kidney function changes in later life and what older adults should know about kidney disease. In this episode, she covers:

What do kidneys do for the body?
Kidney anatomy (nephrons, glomerulus, tubules)
What labs check kidney function? (eGFR, creatinine, BUN)
The three forms of kidney dysfunction
Symptoms of kidney disease
Kidney disease in older adults
The five stages of kidney disease
What causes kidney disease?
How should kidney disease be medically evaluated?
Treating chronic kidney disease
Kidney failure: Dialysis and other options for end-stage kidney disease
Kidney disease in geriatrics
What to ask your doctors about kidney disease

[Read more…]

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