I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed for a Forbes Health article about “aging in place,” something that deserves more attention than it usually gets. The writers included a lot of great statistics, and I was able to share some of the insight I’ve gained from my past few decades of practice:        For older adults who prefer to age in place, making safety modifications to their home or downsizing to a residence that requires less maintenance and features fewer mobility barriers can be a crucial decision. Aging in place successfully requires careful planning, an ..read more

Some recent studies show that nearly one out of eight adults in the US is prescribed a sedative (benzodiazepine). These are medications like Valium (Diazepam), Ativan (Lorazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam) and Klonopin (Clonazepam). All of them are addictive, and all of them lose their effectiveness over time. This often necessitates higher doses that can lead to accidents, confusion, irritability, poor sleep and increased risk of dementia. If taken with alcohol, they also increase the risk of respiratory suppression. The risks of long-term benzodiazepine use are even more pronounced for elders. The ..read more

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

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) aren’t the only high-risk individuals. Those ..read more

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 work to care for a parent, CNAs hustl ..read more

Making the decision to move a loved one to assisted living can be difficult. They may be anxious about losing independence, and you might struggle with doubts about your decision. It’s completely normal for families to question whether assisted living is the right choice for their loved one. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of common signs that may let you know it’s time to seriously consider assisted living for your loved one. Please understand that this list isn’t exhaustive — every family is different, and you may experience something different than what is liste ..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 bed ..read more

Some recent studies show that nearly one out of eight adults in the US is prescribed a benzodiazepine. These are sedatives like Valium (Diazepam), Ativan (Lorazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam) and Klonopin (Clonazepam). All of them are addictive, and all of them lose their effectiveness over time. This often necessitates higher doses that can lead to accidents, confusion, irritability, poor sleep and increased risk of dementia. If taken with alcohol, they also increase the risk of respiratory suppression. The risks of long-term benzodiazepine use are even more pronounced for elders. The American Ger ..read more

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 judgm ..read more