Better Health While Aging

Latest Episodes:

153 – Heart Failure in Aging: Symptoms, Types, and Treatments Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with cardiologist Cara Pellegrini, MD, to discuss the key aspects of heart failure, including its types (congestive, systolic, diastolic, HFrEF, and HFpEF), causes, symptoms, and treatment options. They also cover special considerations for frail older adults, heart failure and end-of-life issues, and much more.

They discuss:

Introduction to Heart Failure in Aging
Understanding Heart Failure: Definitions and Types
What are HFrEF, HFpEF & Ejection Fraction?
Left vs Right-sided Heart Failure
Causes of Heart Failure
Heart Valves in Heart Failure
Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure
Diagnosing Heart Failure: The Evaluation Process
Stages and Severity of Heart Failure
Heart Failure Prognosis
Treatment and Management of Heart Failure
Medications to Treat Heart Failure
Self-Management Strategies for Heart Failure
Considerations for Older Adults with Heart Failure
Procedures and Devices for Advanced Heart Failure
Understanding Prognosis and End-of-Life Care
Questions to Ask About Heart Failure

Related Resources:

6 Steps to Better High Blood Pressure Treatment for Older Adults
American Heart Association: Heart Failure

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152 – Inside Alzheimer’s Research: New Medications and Innovative Care Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K speaks with Alzheimer’s expert Jason Karlawish, MD, Co-Director of the Penn Memory Center, about the new anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s medications lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla). Learn how biomarkers and other new developments have revolutionized the diagnosing of Alzheimer’s disease, and how these newer medications are being used to treat Alzheimer’s.

They cover:

New Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease
Understanding Alzheimer’s vs Dementia
The Evolution of Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
The Role of Biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
How Alzheimer’s Progresses Over Time
Stages of Dementia
Older Medications to Treat Alzheimer’s
New Anti-Amyloid Drugs to Treat Alzheimer’s
About Aducanumab (Aduhelm)
Lecanemab (Leqembi) and Donanemab (Kisunla)
How Effective Are the New Treatments?
The Studies of Anti-Amyloids On Different Sub-groups
Experiences at The Penn Memory Center
Do These Work for Mixed Dementia or Difficult Behaviors?
Can These Help with Aging in Place?
Also Important for Alzheimer’s Treatment
Resources

Related episode:

151 – How Memory Medications Like Donepezil and Memantine Work

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151 – How Memory Medications Like Donepezil and Memantine Work Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the oral medications most commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine (brand names Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, and Namenda. She explains the mechanisms, efficacy, and side effects of these drugs, along with practical considerations for their use in older adults. She also discusses other important aspects of Alzheimer’s treatment.

She covers:

Oral Medications FDA-Approved to Treat Alzheimer’s
Understanding Aricept & Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Mild vs Severe Alzheimer’s
Efficacy and Side Effects of Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Exploring Memantine (Namenda) and Its Role
Do These Work for Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Medications & Other Types of Dementia
When to Stop Alzheimer’s Medications
Practical Considerations for Dementia Medication Use
Anti-amyloid Treatments for Alzheimer’s
Best Treatments for Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Related episode:

Related Resources:

- 4 Medications FDA-Approved to Treat Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias: How They Work & FAQs
- How to Understand the Stages of Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias

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150 – Caring for UTIs in Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Nursing Homes Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with fellow geriatrician and guest expert Chrissy Kistler, MD, discuss UTIs in two particular groups: older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and those in nursing homes. They discuss the relationship between memory problems and UTIs, how to diagnose them when there’s confusion or weakness, and the role of asymptomatic bacteriuria (“colonized bladder”) in these cases.

They cover:

0:32 UTIs in Alzheimer, dementia, and nursing homes
Diagnosing UTIs in Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Defining UTIs
UTIs and Confusion
Why urine cultures are often positive
Infections in terminal dementia
How to detect UTI in memory loss and dementia
Can ongoing UTI cause memory loss?
Treating & Preventing Recurrent UTIs
UTIs in Nursing Homes
Urinary catheters and UTIs
Tips for families

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149 – UTIs in Older Adults: Symptoms & Prevention Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with fellow geriatrician and guest expert Chrissy Kistler, MD, as they explore how UTIs change with age, the symptoms to watch for, and the best ways to prevent and treat them. Learn the difference between a true UTI and asymptomatic bacteriuria (also known as a “colonized bladder”) and why confusion is often mistaken for a UTI symptom. Learn when to take antibiotics for symptoms and when it’s probably unnecessary.

They cover:

UTIs in Older Adults
Defining Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Symptoms of UTIs
The Impact of Aging on UTIs
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (“Colonized bladder”) vs. Clinical UTI
Diagnosing UTIs in Older Adults
Using Urine Dipsticks (Urinalysis)
Men and UTIs
About Chronic UTIs
Confusion and UTIs
Should Chronic Bladder Bacteria be Treated?
Treating Recurrent UTIs
Questions to Ask Healthcare Providers

Related Resources:

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148 – How to Plan for Successful Aging Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how to plan for aging and 3 key things to do, to avoid common aging problems she routinely sees families struggling with. Learn how to prevent and delay common problems, and how to plan for your own more successful aging. She also discusses the most common pathways at the end of life, and how to retain quality of life despite challenges.

She covers:

Defining successful aging
Key steps to prepare for successful aging
The importance of your attitude towards aging
How to optimize health & prevent problems
How to plan for interdependence
What tends to happen in aging
Common causes of death
How to plan for interdependence
If you have aging parents

Related episode:

Related Resources:

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147 – Essential Parts of Medicare & Open Enrollment Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with social worker Michelle Allen, LCSW, about the different parts of Medicare, what is Medicare Advantage, and how to check your coverage. They also explain Medicare Open Enrollment and what to do during this time, to keep out-of-pocket costs lower for the coming year. In this episode they cover:

Why check your Medicare coverage
The basics of Medicare
Medicare Part A: Inpatient Services Explained
Medicare Part B: Outpatient Services Overview
Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
How to initially enroll in Medicare
Medigap, Medicaid, and other options
Why does Medicare Open Enrollment matter?
Medicare Updates for 2025
Steps to Take During Open Enrollment
Resources for Medicare Assistance

Related episode:

135 – How to Pay for Elder Care

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146 – Atrial Fibrillation in Older Adults: Watchman, Medications & Other Treatment Options Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks about atrial fibrillation (afib) with Cara Pellegrini, MD, a specialist in cardiac electrophysiology and an expert on the Watchman device and other ways to treat this common heart arrhythmia. They cover:

What is afib & what causes it?
What are the symptoms of afib & how is it diagnosed?
How is afib treated?
What to know about blood-thinners for afib
Treating afib in frail older adults
Atrial fibrillation & stroke risk
Watchman for afib & stroke prevention
Who should consider Watchman?
Afib in dementia
How lifestyle changes can powerfully affect afib
What to ask doctors about afib

Related episode:

016 – 3 Reasons You Should Have a Home Blood Pressure Monitor

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145 – COVID & Fall 2024 Vaccines Update Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K provides an update on COVID so far this year, and explains the available vaccines for the three respiratory viruses likely to be very active this fall and winter: COVID, influenza, and RSV. She also addresses other ways to protect oneself this winter.
She covers:

2024 vaccines for older adults
COVID so far in 2024
Why COVID remains worse than flu
COVID vaccines for 2024-25
Flu vaccines for 2024
What to know about RSV vaccine
How to stay healthier this winter

Note: For the masks Dr. K recommends, you can get the 3M V-flex here https://amzn.to/3OxrsRY, and the Powecom KN95 here https://amzn.to/3W9frXf

These are Amazon affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, thank you!

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143 – Unsafe Driving in Aging: What to Know & Do Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what to know and what to do if you’re concerned about unsafe driving in an older adult, including when driving should stop and what to know if you’re dealing with Alzheimer’s or a related type of dementia. She covers: