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.

033 – Safer Treatments for Insomnia in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

033 – Safer Treatments for Insomnia in Aging

00:00 / 25:20

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how to safely treat insomnia in older adults, and why most seniors should avoid sleeping pills. She covers:

Why it’s essential to identify the cause(s) of sleep problems, before starting or continuing to use sleeping pills
Why over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids, such as diphenhydramine, benzodiazepines, and “z-drugs” such as zolpidem, are bad for memory and balance
Three proven insomnia treatments that are effective and safer than pills
Where to find cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia online
Approaches to treating sleep problems in people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias

[Read more…]

032 – 5 Top Causes of Sleep Problems in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

032 – 5 Top Causes of Sleep Problems in Aging

00:00 / 25:20

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the most common causes of insomnia and other sleep problems in older adults, and how to get them correctly diagnosed. She covers:

How sleep changes with normal aging
Common physical health and mental health problems that can affect sleep
What types of medications are especially associated with sleep difficulties
What to know about sleep apnea and sleep-related breathing disorders
Restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movements of sleep
What to do if you’re concerned about insomnia

[Read more…]

031 – Choosing the Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 4 Comments

Better Health While Aging

031 – Choosing the Safest Over-the-Counter Painkiller in Aging

00:00 / 26:18

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains which over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller is usually safest, and which analgesics are much riskier than people realize. She covers:

Why frequent aches and pains should always be evaluated by a doctor
Why harm from OTC painkillers is surprisingly common
Why acetaminophen (known as paracetamol outside the U.S.) is usually considered the safest OTC analgesic for older adults
Why non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are on the Beer’s List of medications older adults should avoid or use with caution
The most common risks and side-effects of OTC painkillers, and how to avoid them
The special case of aspirin, which doctors no longer recommend as a painkiller
Tips on selecting an OTC painkiller and on working with your doctor to treat frequent pain in aging

[Read more…]

030 – Drugs for Difficult Dementia Behaviors: What to Know

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

030 – Drugs for Difficult Dementia Behaviors: What to Know

00:00 / 33:10

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what families should know about the five types of medications used to treat difficult behaviors in people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. She covers:

Why “chemical restraints” such as antipsychotics and tranquilizers are often prescribed inappropriately
How antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, antidepressants work for dementia behaviors, and how much improvement to expect
Common side-effects to look out for
The pros and cons of each type of medication
Important non-drug approaches that can help with dementia behaviors, and why these should be used before resorting to medications
Tips and suggestions for families considering these drugs
What you can do if your relative with dementia is taking antipsychotics or tranquilizers

[Read more…]

029 – The Healthy Aging Checklist

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

029 – The Healthy Aging Checklist

00:00 / 41:52

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the six key things every older person should do, for healthier aging. She covers her recommendations for:

Promoting brain health and emotional well-being
Promoting physical health
Checking for and addressing commonly neglected senior health problems that can sabotage healthy aging
Optimizing the care of chronic medical conditions
Getting recommended preventive health services
Addressing medical, legal, and financial advance planning

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028 – When Older Parents Resist Help: 4 Tips for Better Talks

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 4 Comments

Better Health While Aging

028 – When Older Parents Resist Help: 4 Tips for Better Talks

00:00 / 25:20

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains four things family caregivers should try, for better conversations with older parents who are resisting help. She covers:

How cognitive problems often complicate family conversations
The importance of hearing and validating an older person’s emotions
How to discuss an older person’s goals, and why safety shouldn’t automatically be the top priority
Ways to respond when an older parent voices “unrealistic” goals, such as never having help at home
Why it’s important for family caregivers to identify their own fears and desires, when it comes to aging parents

[Read more…]

027 – Interview: Planning for Aging When Single & Childless

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 4 Comments

Better Health While Aging

027 – Interview: Planning for Aging When Single & Childless

00:00 / 28:28

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Carol Marak, founder of the Elder Orphans Facebook Group and editor of SeniorCare.com. They discuss aging issues facing those who have no spouse or adult children. They cover:

Carol’s experience with her own aging parents, which led her to think of her own future as an aging single woman with no children
The controversy around the term “elder orphan,” and why Carol finally chose to use it
Isolation, transportation difficulties, affordable housing, and other concerns that are often discussed in the Elder Orphans Facebook group
Why affordable housing that enables aging-in-community is so important
Cohousing and other options for aging-in-community
Choosing a power of attorney for health or finances
Carol’s top tips for elder orphans

[Read more…]

026 – 4 Medications for Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias: FAQs & Tips

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

026 – 4 Medications for Alzheimer's & Other Dementias: FAQs & Tips

00:00 / 37:45

In This Episode:

Only four medications are FDA-approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Dr. K explains how they work and addresses frequently asked questions. She covers:

The two different categories of medication that are FDA-approved, and how they work to help people with dementia
The different stages of dementia, and how this relates to the FDA-approval of these drugs
How well these drugs work, and what families can expect
Common side-effects of these medications
Whether these medications work for mild cognitive impairment
When to consider stopping these medications
Which vitamins might also help treat Alzheimer’s disease
Practical tips for people considering these medications or already taking them

[Read more…]

025 – Interview: Palliative Care to Live Well with Cancer

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

025 – Interview: Palliative Care to Live Well with Cancer

00:00 / 00:40:17

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Amy Berman, RN, Senior Program Officer at the John A. Hartford Foundation, who has been benefitting from palliative care ever since she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in late 2010. They discuss:

Why palliative care is the best friend of the seriously ill, and doesn’t mean “giving up” care
How palliative care helps people align medical care with what’s most important to them
How palliative care has helped Amy maintain her quality of life, despite having incurable cancer
How palliative care complements — rather than replaces — usual treatments for cancer and other serious illnesses
The difference between palliative care and hospice
Why it’s worth looking for an oncologist who regularly partners with a palliative care team
Tips on accessing palliative care for yourself or your relatives

[Read more…]

024 – Interview: Better Cancer Screening While Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

024 – Interview: Better Cancer Screening While Aging

00:00 / 28:00

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Louise Walter, MD, an expert on cancer screening in older adults and the Chief of the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California San Francisco. They discuss:

Why it’s important to consider life-expectancy, before pursuing cancer screening
How doctors and others can better estimate life-expectancy
Why cancer screening can be harmful to some older adults
Why it’s important for older people to ask “How soon will this help me?”
Why screening for prostate cancer with the “PSA” test is often problematic
Dr. Walter’s top tips on making sure you get cancer screening services that are right for you

[Read more…]

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