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.

142 – Vitamin D: Why Less is More in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

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

[Read more…]

141 – 4 Most Common Types of Dementia in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

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

[Read more…]

140 – How to Exercise to Age Well

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

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

[Read more…]

139 – How to Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

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

[Read more…]

138 – How to Promote Brain Health & Memory in Aging

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

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

[Read more…]

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

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

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

[Read more…]

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

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

[Read more…]

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

[Read more…]

135 – How to Pay for Elder Care

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

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

[Read more…]

134 – COVID & Aging August 2023 Update: Staying Safe, Boosters & More

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

134 – COVID & Aging August 2023 Update: Staying Safe, Boosters & More

00:00 / 00:40:59

Dr. K discusses the latest COVID news for August 2023, including the recent rise in COVID cases, whether to get boosted again now or later, what we know about the upcoming fall COVID vaccine, and more.

In this episode:

[Read more…]

133 – COVID Summer 2023 News Update for Aging Adults

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

133 – COVID Summer 2023 News Update for Aging Adults

00:00 / 00:46:58

Dr. K discusses the latest COVID news for Summer 2023, including the current COVID situation in the US, how to get COVID data now that the public health emergency has ended, updates on COVID boosters, how to know if you still should take precautions, and more.

In this episode:

[Read more…]

The Better Health While Aging Podcast

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

In This Episode:

Disclaimer