Our family has gotten together every other year for over twenty years — until COVID.   Luckily, there was a recent wedding that brought us all together; I hadn’t seen some of my older relatives in five years. Even as a geriatrician, I haven’t really thought about my own family members aging. (Aside from me…I’m very aware of my own aging!) This year was different. COVID has been horrible for elders, causing more strokes, heart attacks, dementia, and death in those over 70. So, after a few cases of COVID, various other illnesses, surgeries, and the passage of time…the hearty laughs and qui ..read more

When it comes to mudslinging politicians, there’s been a lot of recent talk about who has dementia and who’s too old to be in office. Aside from the usual politicking, our current crop of elder statesmen has prompted a lot of buzz about who should be ineligible to hold office. As a geriatrician, I’ve found that it’s the wealthy and the powerful who won’t give up their positions without a fight. That said, it’s not always because they’re megalomaniacs. The changes of dementia are often subtle at first, and often overlooked. First, a brain primer. There are the frontal lobes that regulate jud ..read more

Divorce is never easy. As a geriatrician, I obviously can’t discuss every single factor that leads to it later in life. What I can discuss, however, are the issues that I’ve personally seen in patients that cause challenges for them, their marriages, and their families. It’s worth noting that the likelihood of someone over 65 having dementia is around 10%, and that number jumps to nearly 45% if the elder is over 85. Changes in brain function complicate all relationships, but none so much as a marriage. Now, I’m not saying that all problems in marriages pop up after 65. Maybe there were deca ..read more

If you follow the news, and you’ve been following the most recent charges former President Trump now faces, you’ve likely heard that one of his unindicted co-conspirators is Rudy Giuliani. A former district attorney, mayor of New York City, and advisor to former President Trump, 79-year-old Giuliani is pretty widely speculated to eventually face trial for a number of alleged crimes. Furthermore, a lot of folks lament how far he’s fallen from his position in society some two decades ago. As a geriatrician, I’m concerned about his behavior and how, currently, he doesn’t seem&nb ..read more

Delirium & Dementia: They’re Not the Same! Delirium is a sudden and severe change in brain function that can make a person seem confused or disoriented. It’s often triggered by a serious illness, by certain medications, drug withdrawal or intoxication. The risk of developing delirium is highest in people over the age of 65, especially if that person is living with dementia. While some people may become agitated, others may simply appear confused. Delirium can also occur in any care setting — hospitals and nursing facilities, or at home. Additionally, elders (and those living with dementia ..read more

Caregiver Burnout: The Quiet Pandemic Here’s a statistic that I mention pretty frequently: There are nearly 60 million people over the age of 65 in the United States, yet by some counts there are only about 3,500 practicing geriatricians.1 That imbalance is one of the reasons why I take my job so seriously, and it’s why I strive to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained from decades of practice. But this isn’t about me or my fellow geriatricians. Today, I’m talking about caregivers, specifically dementia caregivers: Loving family members, seasoned professionals. Adult children taking time off from ..read more

Senior family members often feel isolated as their age takes a toll on their life. Many of their friends and older family members are gone, and they may live alone. In addition, some may be experiencing various diseases, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Because of this, it is up to you to make each holiday celebration a happy one for them. If you want to celebrate Thanksgiving with the elders in your life this year, here are some tips to make it a successful gathering. Dementia Caregiver Support Tips: Holiday Celebrations Ask for Their Opinion The first thing to do while planning your celebrat ..read more

Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life, and it doesn’t get easier as one ages. If you’re moving into a care home, you may be worried that it won’t be the same as your current house or apartment. But with some effort, you can make your room in a nursing care facility feel like home. Bring Small Items from Home You’re not going to be able to bring that giant cabinet, but you can bring small items that remind you of home. Some suggestions include bringing smaller furniture pieces that may be a family heirloom, such as a small table or chair. If you’re allowed to bring beddi ..read more

A vital part of dementia care training education is awareness of what is happening to the aging friends, parents, and clients. Older adults may be hesitant to complain about neglect or abuse from a caregiver or family member at home or in a care home because they rely on them for help. In addition, they may not remember being abused. Therefore, it’s essential to look for the signs of elder abuse so that vulnerable people can be protected and only receive the best care. Signs of Abuse General Neglect General neglect may include the aging patient wearing dirty clothes, having unkempt hair, or sm ..read more

Many people become highly concerned when their parents are aging and need more care than they can provide. They don’t want to place their parents in a care home but also don’t want to neglect their needs. Some may consider using a geriatric care manager (GCM) to help the parents in their senior years. But what is a geriatric care manager, and what do they do? Is a Geriatric Care Manager Like a Care Aid? A geriatric care manager holds many roles, including nurse, social worker, mental health professional, and gerontologist. A family hires a care manager when at least one parent needs more assis ..read more