PEDICURE
How Alzheimer’s Medications Work & FAQs...
If someone in your family has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, chances are that they’ve been prescribed one of the “memory medications,” such as donepezil (brand name Aricept) or memantine (brand name Namenda). But were they told what to expect, and how to judge if the medication is worth continuing? I’ve noticed that
What to Know & How Much...
Confused by all the back and forth in the media about vitamin D? That’s understandable. Once touted as the thing to take for health and well-being, vitamin D has actually not been meeting expectations in randomized trials. It’s even been demoted in some expert recommendations. That said, there is still a pretty easy and straightforward
Is My Aging Parent Incompetent? What...
Q: My 87-year-old father lives alone. His house has become increasingly dirty, but he refuses to get help, even though I’m sure he needs it. I’m worried that he’s becoming incompetent and in need of elder care, but he doesn’t want to go see the doctor. What can I do? A: This situation does come
6 Ways that Cognitive Function Changes...
It’s annoying but unfortunately true: most parts of the body work less well as one gets older and older. This is even true of the brain, which is part of why it becomes more common to experience a “tip of the tongue” moment as one gets older. Such age-related changes in how the brain manages
How to Manage Sleep Problems in...
Sleep problems are common in Alzheimer’s and other dementias. They also commonly drive family caregivers crazy, because when your spouse or parent with Alzheimer’s doesn’t sleep well, this often means that you don’t sleep well. To make matters even worse, not getting enough sleep can worsen the thinking or behavior of someone with dementia. Of
Constipation Treatment & Best Laxatives in...
Constipation is not a glamorous topic, but it’s certainly important, especially in older adults. As anyone who has experienced occasional — or even chronic — constipation can tell you, it can really put a damper on quality of life and well-being. Constipation can also cause more substantial problems, such as: Severe abdominal pain, which
10 Things to Know About HIPAA...
Have you ever had questions about what might be going on with an older loved one’s health? But then you find that your older relative is unable — or unwilling — to let you in on the health details? Or maybe you’ve wanted to talk to your parent’s doctor, but worried that doing so might
How to Be on Less Medication...
Have you ever wondered whether you — or your older relative — might be taking too many medications? You’re certainly right to ask yourself this. I consider this for all my own patients, and wish every doctor would. In part, this is because over the years, I’ve had countless older adults express their worries and
5 Ways to Help Someone Age...
People of all older ages often tell me they hope to age in place. Meaning, they want to be able to remain in their home and community, even as time brings changes to life, health, and abilities. These days, many older people do end up moving, often reluctantly. And this doesn’t have to be a
What to Do About Unexplained Weight...
Q: My 88-year-old father lives in his own home about 100 miles from us. He’s been living alone since my mother died five years ago. I thought he looked rather thin last time we saw him. I’m starting to feel worried about his nutrition. Should I be concerned? Would you recommend he start drinking a
