Better Health While Aging

Latest Episodes:

174 – “Beers Criteria” Explained: Medications Older Adults Should Avoid Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks about one of the most important medication safety tools in geriatrics: the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria® — often called the “Beers List.” It’s an evidence-based list of medications that should be avoided in older adults when possible, or used with extra caution.

She covers:

Why the Beers List matters
Why aging makes medications riskier
What is the AGS Beers Criteria?
Guided walkthrough: how use the Beers Criteria
Common higher-risk medication groups Dr. K looks for
Questions to ask your health providers

Related episode:

Related Resources:

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173 – Kidney Disease in Aging: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment Feb 04, 2026

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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how kidney function changes in later life and what older adults should know about kidney disease. In this episode, she covers:

What do kidneys do for the body?
Kidney anatomy (nephrons, glomerulus, tubules)
What labs check kidney function? (eGFR, creatinine, BUN)
The three forms of kidney dysfunction
Symptoms of kidney disease
Kidney disease in older adults
The five stages of kidney disease
What causes kidney disease?
How should kidney disease be medically evaluated?
Treating chronic kidney disease
Kidney failure: Dialysis and other options for end-stage kidney disease
Kidney disease in geriatrics
What to ask your doctors about kidney disease

Related episodes:

Related Resources:

Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

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172 – Shingles in Aging: Symptoms, Treatment, and the Shingles Vaccine Explained Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains shingles and why it’s an important issue for older adults. She also reviews how shingles is diagnosed and treated, and the many benefits of the shingles vaccine.

She covers:

Introduction: Why Shingles Prevention Matters
What Is Shingles?
Why Shingles Risk Increases With Age
Common Symptoms of Shingles
How Shingles Is Diagnosed and Treated
Post-Herpetic Neuralgia: Chronic Nerve Pain After Shingles
The Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix): What to Know
Additional Benefits: Dementia, Stroke & Heart Risk Reduction
Shingles Vaccine FAQs
Recap and Key Takeaways

Related Resources:

CDC: Shingles Vaccination
Nature Medicine: Varicella-zoster virus reactivation and the risk of dementia

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171 – Urinary incontinence in Aging Men: Most Common Causes & Best Treatments Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how urination changes in later life for men, and what to do if you’re having bothersome urinary symptoms or leaks. You’ll learn what doctors mean by LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms), how an enlarged prostate (BPH) contributes to urinary problems, and the 5 main types of incontinence that affect men: urgency, stress, mixed, overflow, and functional.

She covers:

Urinary Incontinence in Aging Men
Male Bladder, Pelvic Anatomy & the Prostate
What Is LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms)?
Why Incontinence Needs a Medical Evaluation
5 Types of Urinary Incontinence in Men
Key Parts of a Good Incontinence Workup
Medications That Worsen LUTS or Retention
Red Flags Indicating Urgent Evaluation
Treating LUTS & Incontinence
Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Medications for Overactive Bladder: Pros & Cons
Next-Level Procedures and Treatment Options
Special Geriatric Considerations in Frail Older Men
What to Do If You’re Concerned

Related episode:

170 – How to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Older Women

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170 – How to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Older Women Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the 5 main types of incontinence that affect women, what a good medical evaluation should include, and the most effective and safe incontinence treatments for older women. Learn how stress, urge (overactive bladder), mixed, overflow, and functional incontinence differ, what to know about pelvic floor dysfunction and prolapse, and where urogynecology fits in.

She covers:

Urinary Incontinence in Older Women
Bladder & Pelvic Floor Basics (Women)
Why Medical Evaluation is Needed
5 Types of Urinary Incontinence
What a Medical Evaluation of Incontinence Should Include
What to Know about Urogynecology
Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
First-Line Incontinence Fixes That Work
Kegels, Pelvic PT, Bladder Training & Estrogen
What to Know About Pessaries
Medications for Incontinence
Next-Level Treatment Options
Geriatric Considerations (Frailty, Memory Changes)
What to Do If You’re Concerned

Related episode:

Related Resources:

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169 – How to Save Money on Medicare: Reviewing Chapter Medicare Advisory + Other Options Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K is joined by geriatric social worker Michelle Allen, LCSW, to discuss Michelle’s experience trying out Chapter, a national free service that helps older adults find the best Medicare plan for them. Whether you’re shopping for a better Part D drug plan or need to find the Medicare Advantage plan that covers the doctors you want, Dr. K and Michelle review what to know and cover your options for how to find the best Medicare plan for next year.
For FREE help learning about your best Medicare options, Dr. K recommends calling Chapter at 771-224-0630, or visit askchapter.org/betterhealth

She covers:

Dates & What You Can Change
Switching Between Advantage & Original
Why Open Enrollment Matters
How Plans Change Year to Year
Cost Pitfalls to Avoid
If Your Advantage Plan Won’t Renew
Start Here: Cards, Accounts, & Notices
Using Medicare.gov Plan Finder (Pros & Cons)
Newer Option: How Chapter Works
What to Gather: Meds, Doctors, Pharmacy, Hospital
Unbiased Advice & How Chapter Is Free
SHIP and Local Broker: When They Help
2025 Part D Out-of-Pocket Cap
Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Affiliate disclosure:
Dr. Kernisan declined to be paid to make this episode. After evaluating Chapter, she agreed to become an affiliate. This means that if you choose to use Chapter’s free service through her referral, Better Health While Aging may receive a commission that helps support our educational work.

Related Resources:

AskChapter.org/betterhealth (or call 771-224-0630)
Essential Parts of Medicare: The ABCDs to Know & Tips for Open Enrollment
Medicare.gov Plan Finder

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168 – COVID & Fall Vaccines 2025: What Older Adults Should Know Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K shares what’s new for the 2025–26 fall vaccine season, especially for adults over 60. She reviews the current COVID situation, the updated vaccine options (including Moderna’s mNexspike), and the latest CDC guidelines. Plus, key reminders on this year’s flu and RSV shots and practical tips for staying healthier this winter.

She covers:

Fall vaccines for older adults
COVID so far in 2025
Why fall vaccines matter
COVID vaccines for 2025–26
Moderna mNEXSPIKE and other options
Flu vaccines for 2025–26
What to know about RSV vaccines
How to reduce your chances of getting sick
Recap

Related episode: 145 – COVID & Fall 2024 Vaccines Update

Related Resources:

CDC:

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167 – Type 2 Diabetes: Best & Safest Medications for Older Adults Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with diabetes researcher and UCSF geriatrician Sei Lee, MD MAS, about how to choose the best medications to treat diabetes in older adults. They explain the pros and cons of today’s main diabetes treatments — metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, pioglitazone, and insulin — and how to balance benefits with risks depending on health, frailty, and life expectancy.

They cover:

Introduction to Diabetes
Why diabetes care is different in aging
Time to benefit & diminishing returns
Individualizing A1C targets
First-line: lifestyle & metformin
Older drugs: sulfonylureas, and pioglitazone
SGLT2 inhibitors: who benefits, who should avoid
GLP-1s in older adults: benefits, appetite & muscle considerations
Why DPP-4s are less useful
Insulin in geriatrics: basal vs mealtime strategies
Preventing hypoglycemia
What to know about continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)
Questions to ask your doctor

Related Resources:

HealthinAging.org: Diabetes Care and Treatment

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166 – Diabetes in Aging: Signs, Symptoms & What to Do Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what every older adult and their family should know about diabetes and prediabetes in later life. She goes into detail on how diabetes is diagnosed, monitored, and treated, including lifestyle tips, diet changes, and first-line medications like metformin for Type 2 diabetes.

She covers:

Introduction to Diabetes & Prediabetes in Aging
Blood Sugar Basics: What Is Glucose and Insulin?
Diabetes and hypoglycemia
What Is Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes?
Defining Prediabetes and Diabetes
Signs & Symptoms of High Blood Sugar
Long-Term Complications of Diabetes
Diagnosing Diabetes in Older Adults
Target A1C Goals for Older Adults
Risks of Over-Treatment & Hypoglycemia
Treating Diabetes: Lifestyle Changes, Metformin,& More
Treating Prediabetes
What to Ask Your Doctor

Related Resources:

HealthinAging.org: Diabetes Care and Treatment

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165 – Constipation After 60: Causes, Relief & Safe Treatments Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains why constipation happens in older adults, the signs to watch for, and what to know about laxatives and fiber supplements. She goes over which medicines commonly cause or worsen constipation, when to ask for a medical evaluation, and how to prevent complications like hemorrhoids or fecal impaction.

She covers: