The Better Health While Aging Podcast

Better Health While Aging

145 – COVID & Fall 2024 Vaccines Update

00:00 / 00:37:09

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!

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

Better Health While Aging

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

00:00 / 00:42:23

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

142 – Vitamin D: Why Less is More in Aging

Better Health While Aging

142 – Vitamin D: Why Less is More in Aging

00:00 / 00:32:19

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

141 – 4 Most Common Types of Dementia in Aging

Better Health While Aging

141 – 4 Most Common Types of Dementia in Aging

00:00 / 00:54:53

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

140 – How to Exercise to Age Well

Better Health While Aging

140 – How to Exercise to Age Well

00:00 / 00:57:23

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

139 – How to Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment

Better Health While Aging

139 – How to Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment

00:00 / 00:49:50

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

138 – How to Promote Brain Health & Memory in Aging

Better Health While Aging

138 – How to Promote Brain Health & Memory in Aging

00:00 / 01:16:02

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

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

Better Health While Aging

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

00:00 / 00:41:40

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

136 – 8 Things Doctors Should Check After a Fall

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH

Better Health While Aging

136 - 8 Things Doctors Should Check After a Fall

00:00 / 00:18:13

Why it’s vital to be proactive after a fall
Why you should learn the 8 things Dr. K checks after a fall
Why checking BP sitting and standing is so important
The most useful blood tests to consider
Medications that can worsen falls
How to check gait and balance
Additional referrals to consider

In This Episode:

Geriatrician Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH, explains 8 things health providers should check after an older person falls, to prevent future dangerous falls in aging. In this episode:

Why it’s vital to be proactive after a fall
Why you should learn the 8 things Dr. K checks after a fall
Why checking BP sitting and standing is so important
The most useful blood tests to consider
Medications that can worsen falls
How to check gait and balance
Additional referrals to consider

135 – How to Pay for Elder Care

Better Health While Aging

135 – How to Pay for Elder Care

00:00 / 00:44:04

In This Episode:

Geriatrician Dr. Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH, teams up with experienced geriatric care manager Michelle Allen, LCSW, to discuss a common FAQ: how to pay for elder care. They cover

What types of help do elders usually need
What are the options for eldercare?
How much does eldercare cost?
How to pay for eldercare?
What to know about long-term care insurance
How Medicaid pays for eldercare