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Practical information for aging health & family caregivers

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The Helping Older Parents Podcast

Get practical information about how to care for aging parents from a geriatrician and other experts. Whether you're dealing with memory loss or Alzheimer's, or are just concerned about a parent's safety and well-being, learn what really works, when it comes to helping older parents through this stage of life while respecting their dignity and maintaining a better relationship connection.

007 – How to Talk to Your Parent About Their Memory Loss

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Helping Older Parents Podcast
Helping Older Parents Podcast
007 – How to Talk to Your Parent About Their Memory Loss
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 In This Episode:

What can you do if your aging parent with memory loss refuses to admit to their problems, or is waving off your suggestions that they get help? In this episode, Dr. K explains how to discuss memory loss and other worrisome symptoms with your aging parent. She covers:

[Read more…]

006 – 10 Warning Signs of Early Alzheimer’s Disease

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Helping Older Parents Podcast
Helping Older Parents Podcast
006 – 10 Warning Signs of Early Alzheimer's Disease
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In This Episode:

When an older person starts to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, what are the earliest warning signs to look out for? In this episode, Dr. K explains 10 warning signs that often catch her attention.

She covers:

[Read more…]

005 – How ADLs and IADLs Change in Early Alzheimer’s

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Helping Older Parents Podcast
Helping Older Parents Podcast
005 – How ADLs and IADLs Change in Early Alzheimer's
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In This Episode:

When an aging parent develops memory loss, or other signs that might be early Alzheimer’s disease, how does that affect their ability to manage their self-care tasks, such as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)? Dr. K explains what types of problems families should anticipate and check for. 

She covers:

[Read more…]

004 – What are ADLs and IADLs (& why they matter in memory loss)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Helping Older Parents Podcast
Helping Older Parents Podcast
004 – What are ADLs and IADLs (& why they matter in memory loss)
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00:00 / 12:33
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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and why they matter when it comes to helping older adults age in place. She also explains why they are part of diagnosing mild cognitive impairment vs dementia, and their role in certain aspects of eldercare.

She covers:

  • 4 ways ADLs and IADLs are used in eldercare
  • Why eldercare professionals often assess ADLs and IADLs
  • Why ADLs and IADLs matter in memory loss
  • What are ADLs
  • What are IADLs
  • The difference between ADLs and IADLs
  • How ADLs and IADLs are assessed
  • Why these are essential to assess if your parent wants to age in place
[Read more…]

003 – Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s, & Dementia: What’s the difference?

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Helping Older Parents Podcast
Helping Older Parents Podcast
003 – Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's, & Dementia: What's the difference?
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00:00 / 19:36
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In This Episode:

Dr. K answers a question she is often asked: “What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment (also known as MCI)?” She covers:

[Read more…]

002 – 10 Causes of Memory Loss in Aging Parents

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Helping Older Parents Podcast
Helping Older Parents Podcast
002 – 10 Causes of Memory Loss in Aging Parents
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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains several different health conditions that can cause memory loss in older adults and in aging parents, and why memory loss doesn’t mean a person is developing Alzheimer’s disease.

She covers:

[Read more…]

001 – Is Memory Loss Normal in Aging?

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Helping Older Parents Podcast
Helping Older Parents Podcast
001 – Is Memory Loss Normal in Aging?
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00:00 / 6:19
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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains why short-term memory loss is not normal in aging, and what to do if your parent has become forgetful. She also explains what types of memory changes ARE normal with aging.

[Read more…]
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Check Out Our Better Health While Aging Podcast

If you’ve been enjoying this podcast, you may also like our original Better Health While Aging podcast, which covers common health problems that affect people over age 60, the best ways to prevent and manage those problems, and more!

For Those New to Podcasts:

Wondering what a podcast is? Not sure how to listen to the episodes? 

See this post for step-by-step instructions on listening, and answers to FAQs. Includes detailed instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review too!

Find It Here

Past Podcast Episodes

  • 017 – Real Eldercare Stories: How Suzanne Cared for Her Mother Until Age 97
  • 016 – Medications for Sundowning: What Dementia Caregivers Should Know
  • 015 – Treating Hearing Loss in Alzheimer’s & Dementia
  • 014 – Sundowning in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What to know & do
  • 013 – How to Pay for Eldercare for Aging Parents
  • 012 – How to get an aging parent to accept help
  • 011 – How to Respond to False Accusations from Aging Parents
  • 010 – How to Know if Your Aging Parent Should Still be Making Decisions
  • 009 – If Your Aging Parent is Resisting a Memory Loss Evaluation
  • 008 – Is getting a memory loss evaluation really worth the trouble?
  • 007 – How to Talk to Your Parent About Their Memory Loss
  • 006 – 10 Warning Signs of Early Alzheimer’s Disease
  • 005 – How ADLs and IADLs Change in Early Alzheimer’s
  • 004 – What are ADLs and IADLs (& why they matter in memory loss)
  • 003 – Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s, & Dementia: What’s the difference?
  • 002 – 10 Causes of Memory Loss in Aging Parents
  • 001 – Is Memory Loss Normal in Aging?

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The material on this site, including any exchanges in the comments section of the blog, is for informational and educational purposes only.

Any comments Dr. Kernisan may make regarding an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a physician-patient relationship between Dr. Kernisan and a caregiver, or care recipient.

None of Dr. Kernisan’s website or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.

Please see the full Disclaimer for more information.

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