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.

112 – Flu Shots for Older Adults in COVID Times: What to Know (2020 Update)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

112 – Flu Shots for Older Adults in COVID Times: What to Know (2020 Update)

00:00 / 40:53

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what all older adults and family caregivers should know about the new flu shots available for older adults this year and recommendations for influenza vaccination during this first COVID fall. This episode covers:

The basics of influenza and why vaccination is important
What we know about influenza and COVID-19
Why older adults are at higher risk of harm from the flu and how the vaccine works
The two key ways you can protect yourself from the flu
Why this year is a good time to make sure older adults are uptodate on their one-time pneumococcal vaccination
What to know about flu shots designed for older adults
Which influenza vaccine she thinks is best for most older adults
When to get vaccinated by
What to do if your older relative is unable or unwilling to get vaccinated

[Read more…]

111 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (7.16.20 Edition)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 4 Comments

Better Health While Aging

111 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (7.16.20 Edition)

00:00 / 1:41:27

In This Episode:

Dr. K shares the coronavirus (COVID19) information and recommendations she presented on 7/16/20 to members of the Helping Older Parents Membership.

She covers:

The coronavirus situation today
Are we better at preventing COVID?
Are we better at treating COVID?
Current COVID treatments available in the hospital
Dr. K’s take on hospitalization for frail older adults with COVID
Useful resources and her recommendations for this summer

[Read more…]

110 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (6.11.20 Edition)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

110 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (6.11.20 Edition)

00:00 / 1:41:27

In This Episode:

Dr. K shares an update on the coronavirus (COVID19) situation and more recommendations to help older adults and people concerned about aging parents.

To watch the video version, click here.

This episode covers:

The coronavirus situation today
Key points on what Dr. K has learned about COVID so far (and what we’re still trying to figure out)
Updates on testing & reducing COVID transmission
If you’re wondering “Is it safe to…?”
COVID & Older Adults: the tradeoffs we’re facing
Nursing homes and COVID
Dr. K’s recommendations for this summer

[Read more…]

109 – Interview: Nursing Homes & Other Long-Term Care During COVID Times

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

109 – Interview: Nursing Homes & Other Long-Term Care During COVID Times

00:00 / 1:01:00

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Dr. Karl Steinberg, an expert in nursing home care and the President-Elect of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. He has been a nursing home and hospice medical director in the San Diego area since 1995, and is currently the chief medical officer for Mariner Health Central, a 20-facility California nursing home management company. They discuss:

The varied course of COVID illness among nursing home residents
What older adults and families should know, to address COVID and advance care planning
Steps that nursing homes are now taking, to reduce COVID risk and manage cases
What we know about how COVID has affected other forms of long-term care, such as assisted-living
How we might be able to keep nursing home residents engaged socially and physically, during COVID times
Whether some facilities may eventually divide residents into those who prioritize isolation and those who are willing to tolerate slightly increased risks in order to benefit from more socialization and activities
What safer “re-opening” might look like, in nursing homes
Why it’s essential to get information from your county and state public health department

[Read more…]

108 – Live QA: Aging Health in COVID Times

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

108 – Live QA: Aging Health in COVID Times

00:00 / 1:41:27

In This Episode:

Dr. K and her guest experts Dr. Nicole Didyk and Richard Caro, PhD, answer BHWA reader questions about aging health in COVID times.

To watch the video version, click here.

Questions and issues they addressed during this call included:

The trade-off between safety and other benefits that older adults value
How to think through making an activity or situation “safer” rather than ask “is it safe?”
How to maintain physical and mental wellbeing while confined to the home, or to a locked-down facility
When it’s likely to be “safe” to resume routine health appointments, including eye and dental visits
How the pandemic situation might affect recovery from hospital delirium
What we know so far about the course of COVID in older adults who develop symptoms
What palliative care at home for COVID might look like
The challenges that nursing homes are currently facing

[Read more…]

107 – Interview: A Guide to Better Medical Care for Families of Aging Adults

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

107 – Interview: A Guide to Better Medical Care for Families of Aging Adults

00:00 / 1:10:34

Click above for subtitles and click the magnifying glass for a searchable transcript.

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with geriatrician Muriel Gillick MD, Professor at Harvard Medical School, about her latest book, The Caregiver’s Encylopedia: A Compassionate Guide to Caring for Older Adults. They discuss:

Why it’s so important for family members to be informed and proactive
Why Dr. Gillick recommends starting by understanding your relative’s overall health state
How to recognize frailty, and why it’s essential to be aware of it
Whether frailty can be reversed by exercise, and the pro and cons of pushing an older parent to exercise
The importance of “goals of care”, and what to do when trade-offs become necessary
How to ask an older person about what matters most to them
How to let the doctors know what an older person wants from their healthcare
How to get older adults — and healthcare professionals — to value the involvement of the family member
The importance of someone in the family being able to advocate for better care

[Read more…]

106 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (3.27.20 Edition)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

106 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (3.27.20 Edition)

00:00 / 1:41:27

In This Episode:

Dr. K shares an update on the coronavirus (COVID19) situation and more recommendations to help older adults and people concerned about aging parents.

To watch the video version, click here.

[Read more…]

105 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (3.20.20 Edition)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

105 – Coronavirus Updates & Suggestions (3.20.20 Edition)

00:00 / 1:41:27

In This Episode:

Dr. K shares an update on the coronavirus (COVID19) situation and more recommendations to help older adults and people concerned about aging parents.

To watch the video version, click here.

[Read more…]

104 – Coronavirus Special: Planning to Help Aging Parents (Plus Q&A)

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 16 Comments

Better Health While Aging

104 – Coronavirus Special: Planning to Help Aging Parents (Plus Q&A)

00:00 / 1:41:27

In This Episode:

Dr. K shares the coronavirus (COVID19) information and recommendations she presented on 3/12/20 to members of the Helping Older Parents Membership, plus answers to their questions about preparing themselves and protecting their aging parents. She covers:

What’s most important to know about the coronavirus situation right now
The current effort to “flatten the curve” and what that might mean in terms of how long precautions are necessary
Issues that are likely to come for frail older adults
How to think through care and housing options, and contingency planning
The importance of reviewing what matters most to your older parent
Why now is an important time to review advance care planning and preferences regarding critical care
What to know about POLST and similar advance care planning documents
Answers to member questions

[Read more…]

103 – Interview: Better Sex in Later Life

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 1 Comment

Better Health While Aging

103 – Interview: Better Sex in Later Life

00:00 / 1:05:53

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks about sex in later life with geriatrician Dr. Nicole Didyk, founder of the blog and YouTube channel The Wrinkle. They discuss:

How Dr. Didyk learned more about this important topic by connecting with Nathalie Wilton, a social worker and sex therapist who focuses on older adults
Why it’s so common for health providers — and older adults — to have low “sexual literacy”, when it comes to aging and sexuality
How aging often affects sex and sexuality
Common concerns that patients have brought up in her clinical practice
What can be done if there is a mismatch in interest between two partners
The role of solo sex, toys, and activities other than intercourse
How being a hands-on caregiver to your partner can affect sex
Special issues that come up when one partner develops a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s
Tips on how to maintain and improve sexuality in later life

[Read more…]

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