GlyNAC and Healthy Aging: A Review of New Clinical Data Mar 10, 2023

Guest: Rajagopal Sekhar, MD

Clinicians are still working to understand the mechanisms behind age-related declines and what interventions might help promote healthy aging. Could supplementation with the nutritional compounds glycine and n-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) play a role by improving intracellular antioxidant levels? Dr. Rajagopal Sekhar shares the latest clinical data on GlyNAC supplementation in older adults.

Best in Show: The Health Benefits of Therapy Dogs Dec 11, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Several studies have shown that therapy dogs help to reduce people’s pain levels and anxiety. Therapy dogs have also been found to increase patients’ physical, mental, emotional and social states and improve their quality of life.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough talks with David Frei, co-creator of Angel on a Leash, a charity supporting therapy dog programs that serve health care facilities, about how therapy dogs bring comfort, affection and happiness to people in confined living situations. Frei is the former host of The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and expert analyst for The National Dog Show on NBC Thanksgiving Day.

Treating Hip Fractures in Elderly Patients: An Orthopedic Surgeon's Perspective Oct 27, 2017

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Out of the approximately 340,000 hip fractures that occur in the US each year, 9 out of 10 of them happen to people older than 65. Hip fractures in an older population can result in significant complications including pneumonia and blood clots, among others.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough sits down with Dr. Derek Donegan, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery in the Division of Orthopedic Trauma at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to talk about some of the challenges physicians face when treating hip fractures in elderly patients.

End-of-Life Care: A Physician's Guide to Helping Families Mar 24, 2017

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO

The burden of deciding end-of-life care often falls on family and friends when patients are no longer able to make decisions regarding their own care. What do physicians need to know when guiding families through these tough situations?

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle is joined by Dr. Marianne Holler, Medical Director of Hospice and Palliative Programs for the VNA Health Group of New Jersey. They talk about what physicians can do to aid families when faced with end-of-life decisions.

Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey Jan 23, 2017

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Dr. Maurice Pickards talks with Dr. Edward Shaw about his book Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey. Dr. Shaw shares how love can lift a corner of dementia’s dark curtain to cultivate an emotional connection amid memory loss. The book provides focused help for those feeling overwhelmed by the relational toll of Alzheimer’s.

Brain Food for Seniors: Dietary Impacts on Cognition and Longevity Jan 16, 2017

Host: Kathy King, RDN

Can good nutrition improve cognition in the aging brain, as well as expand life spans in older adults? Host Kathy King speaks with dietitian and nutrition consultant Matthew Ruscigno about the latest research and subsequent dietetic recommendations aimed at seniors. They discuss which foods and dietary practices are now associated with helping seniors preserve cognition and live longer.

Tissue-Specific Protein Clusters May Help Predict Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease Oct 25, 2016

A protein homeostasis signature in healthy brains recapitulates tissue vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease

Rosie Freer, Pietro Sormanni, Giulia Vecchi, Prajwal Ciryam, Christopher M. Dobson, and Michele Vendruscolo

Science Advances 10 Aug 2016: Vol. 2, no. 8, e1600947 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1600947

Abstract: In Alzheimer’s disease, aggregates of Aβ and tau in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles spread progressively across brain tissues following a characteristic pattern, implying a tissue-specific vulnerability to the disease. We report a transcriptional analysis of healthy brains and identify an expression signature that predicts—at ages well before the typical onset—the tissue-specific progression of the disease. We obtain this result by finding a quantitative correlation between the histopathological staging of the disease and the expression patterns of the proteins that coaggregate in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, together with those of the protein homeostasis components that regulate Aβ and tau. Because this expression signature is evident in healthy brains, our analysis provides an explanatory link between a tissue-specific environmental risk of protein aggregation and a corresponding vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease.

Recognizing Alzheimer's Disease at the Earliest Stages: Key Signs and Symptoms Oct 02, 2016

Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Howard Fillit, MD

Quality care for patients with Alzheimer's disease starts with early recognition, which enables a timely diagnosis and subsequent intervention with the best available treatment and support options. As such, understanding the broad spectrum of signs and symptoms at the earliest stages of disease is absolutely critical.

Joining host Dr. John Russell to discuss the keys to early recognition for Alzheimer's Disease is Dr. Howard Fillit, founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer for the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Pathogenesis: How Disease Origins Guide Early Detection Practices Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Carol Lippa, MD

Understandings of the origins and mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease are evolving constantly, opening doors to improved targets for therapeutic research. But at a time when disease-modifying therapies for advanced Alzheimer's aren't yet available, the need for early detection becomes critically important to help protect quality of life for patients.

Host Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Carol Lippa, Professor of Neurology & Director of the Memory Disorders Program at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Lippa is a member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association and Chair of the Delaware Valley Chapter’s Medical & Scientific Committee.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Latest Methods to Early Detection for Alzheimer's: Cognitive Assessments and Diagnostic Tools in Practice Oct 02, 2016

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Cognitive assessment tools and detection tests for Alzheimer's disease are mutually designed to identify signs of cognitive impairment that are sometimes too subtle to catch by astute clinicians or even patients themselves. But what methods are available to help detect Alzheimer's as early as possible, and how do they impact quality of life for patients throughout the disease progression?

Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcomes Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Addressing Barriers to Early Detection for Alzheimer's Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Marwan Noel Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, CCRI

In efforts to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's Disease, time is of the essence. But there are numerous barriers that clinicians face in practice to establishing a diagnosis quickly and accurately, which affects quality of care for patients.

Joining host Dr. Matt Birnholz to address and consider solutions for these barriers is Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Memory Disorders Division at the Barrow Neurological Institute.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Recognizing the Spectrum of Signs and Symptoms for Alzheimer's Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: David Weisman, MD

Dr. David Weisman, neurologist with Abington Neurological Associates and Director of Abington Neurologic Association's Trial Center, talks about expert approaches to recognizing the signs and symptoms for Alzheimer's disease.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Why Early Detection for Alzheimer's Disease Is So Critically Important Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains the importance of early detection for Alzheimer's disease on patient quality of life, as well as broader impacts on American healthcare systems.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Understanding the Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, describes updated perspectives and understandings on the pathophysiology for Alzheimer's disease.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Alzheimer's: A Hidden Disease in More Ways Than One Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Carol Lippa, MD

Dr. Carol Lippa, Professor of Neurology & Director of the Memory Disorders Program at Drexel University College of Medicine, member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association, and Chair of the Delaware Valley Chapter’s Medical & Scientific Committee, reveals the biological, social, and stigma-based ways in which Alzheimer's remains the most prominently "hidden" disease in America.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Why Patients Delay Seeking an Early Diagnosis for Alzheimer’s Disease Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

More than half of those seeking a diagnosis for dementia have delayed going to their doctor by at least a year, according to a survey carried out by the Alzheimer’s Society of Great Britain. Dr. Matt Birnholz reports.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Screening & Detection Tests for Alzheimer's Disease: The Benefits & Costs Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD

Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry with the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorder at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, speaks to the methods used for early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease, and their respective advantages vs costs in clinical practice.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

The Astute Primary Care Clinician's 3 Keys to Improving Alzheimer's Care Oct 02, 2016

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Marwan Noel Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, CCRI

Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Memory Disorders Division at Barrow Neurological Institute, describes some of his key priorities for the current and future state of Alzheimer’s care.

Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection

Challenges and Solutions to Alzheimer's Research Funding Barriers Sep 19, 2016

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia among people aged 65 and older. With the population of older Americans growing, research for new therapies becomes ever more critical. Yet one of the most important factors in advancing research, fundraising, has been hampered by numerous challenges.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough talks with Charles Fushcillo Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America about the challenges in securing additional funding for Alzheimer’s Research.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in the Elderly: Best Lipid Strategies May 09, 2016

Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP, CS, CLS, FNLA, FPCNA

Host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP, FNLA, President-Elect of the National Lipid Association. Joyce serves as a consultative education specialist in cardiovascular risk intervention with the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Their discussion focuses on lipid management to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in elderly patient populations. Thhis interview was recorded live at the National Lipid Association in San Diego, California for the 2016 Spring Clinical Lipid Update.

The Rising Obesity Epidemic in Senior Populations Apr 11, 2016

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

According to a recent study, the percentage of elderly people in American nursing homes who are moderately to severely overweight has climbed to 25%, a dramatic increase from 14% back in 2000. How does this alarming trend affect both health outcomes and care delivery in caregiving settings?

Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to discuss this underrecognized issue of obesity in senior populations is Dr. Caroline Cederquist, bariatrics expert and founder of Cederquist Medical Wellness Center in Naples FL. Dr. Cederquist is also co-founder of bistroMD, a company premised on delivering physician-designed gourmet meals to patients for purposes of weight loss and health maintenance.

Delaying or Deferring the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease: Can a New Blood Test Help? Dec 28, 2015

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO

Host Jennifer Caudle, DO welcomes Robert Nagele, PhD, a Rowan University researcher and Professor at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Nagele and his team are closing in on a new blood test to detect Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, cancers and other diseases by searching for the autoantibodies created by the disease processes. The test has initially shown to be remarkably accurate in research trials with a capability to accurately assess the stage of disease. More important, it appears to detect pre-clinical disease, giving physicians an opportunity to intervene with lifestyle changes that delay or defer the onset of symptoms.

This program was recorded live at the American Osteopathic Association's annual medical education conference, OMED2015 in Orlando, FL,

The Rise of Vertebral Fractures: Incidence, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options Dec 11, 2015

Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Michael Lewiecki, MD, FACP, FACE

With an incidence rate of more than 750,000 per year, vertebral fractures contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality rates in osteoporosis patients, particularly those who have sustained a VCF in the past. In this new segment, we will hear from Dr. Michael Lewiecki, as he examines this debilitating issue. Dr. Lewiecki is the Director of the New Mexico Clinical Research and Osteoporosis Center; and, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at UNM School of Medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Combination Drug Treatment Reduces Agitation in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Sep 22, 2015

[Read the Article]

Agitation is common in patients with dementia and can contribute to distress for patients and caregivers and an increased risk of institutionalization. Nonpharmacological interventions are recommended as first-line therapy, but many patients fail to respond, and medications are often needed. Currently available medications don't work very well and can have serious side effects. A new study tested a combination of two existing medications, dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate, to see if this would help control agitation in patients with Alzheimer's dementia.
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic recruited 220 patients with Alzheimer's dementia and agitation. During a preliminary 10 week trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive either the dextromethorphan- quinidine combination or a placebo.
Results showed that patients receiving the combination medication demonstrated fewer episodes of agitation compared to patients who received the placebo. When agitation did occur, it tended to be less severe. Researchers also found that not only is the combined drug effective, but safe.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Can Exercise Improve Cognitive Function in Older Adults? Sep 08, 2015

[Read the Article]

Some evidence suggests that physical activity can help slow cognitive decline. A new study evaluated whether a program of moderate physical activity would result in better cognitive function, lower risk of dementia, or both, for older adults compared with a health education program.
Researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina evaluated more than 1,600 sedentary adults, between the ages of 70 and 89, and randomly assigned them to either physical activity or a health education program. The participants were monitored for 24 months, during which their cognitive function was measured using a variety of clinical tests.
Results found that both groups preserved their cognitive function over the two year study period. Although there was no difference between the groups, the outcomes still prove notable, since steady decline in cognitive function would generally be expected within this age group.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Study Examines Death Rates, Hospitalizations, and Cost Reductions for Medicare Patients Sep 08, 2015

[Read the Article]

America's landmark health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid, celebrate their 50th anniversaries on July 30th. Over the past five decades, the United States healthcare system has experienced dynamic changes, most notably in recent years with improvements in technology, care delivery and health related behaviors. A new study examined key outcomes among the Medicare population over a 15 year period.
Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine reviewed the records of nearly 70 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage plans from 1999 to 2013, to better understand long-term trends in mortality, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs.
Results found that among Medicare beneficiaries, death rates have dropped an estimated twenty percent, there have been ten percent fewer hospitalizations, and overall expenditures have decreased from 1999 to 2013. In the last six months of life, total hospitalizations and inpatient costs have also decreased.

[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]

Saving Grandmother’s Brain: Therapeutic Options for Maintaining Midlife Mood, Mind, and Memory Jun 22, 2015

Host: Matt Birnholz, MD

Studies in the field of anthropology have shown that having a healthy grandmother plays a critically positive role in family cohesion. But the wholistic, personalized health needs of women in their elder years are not always recognized. This care disparity is all the more prominent in general OB/GYN practice, but thanks to the work of a select few, the trends may be about to change.

Dr. Matt Birnholz speaks with Dr. Sarah Berga, Professor and Chair of OB/GYN at Wake Forest School of Medicine at ACOG’s annual meeting in San Francisco. They discuss maintaining grandmothers' health across both physiological and psychological spectra, and how this attention in care fundamentally changes larger family units for the better.

The Natural History of an Exceptionally Long Life Oct 19, 2010

Guest: Steven N. Austad, PhD
Host: Mary Leuchars, MD

The bowhead whale is the longest-living mammal on Earth. Its lifespan can exceed 200 years. What can we learn about fostering human longevity from the extraordinarily long-living animals in what author Dr. Steven Austad calls "Methuselah’s Zoo" (so named for Methuselah, the oldest figure in the Bible, said to have lived for 969 years)? Dr. Austad, professor of cellular and structural biology at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center, talks to host Dr. Mary Leuchars.

Why Do We Age? Oct 19, 2010

Guest: Steven N. Austad, PhD
Host: Mary Leuchars, MD

We assume that we know the answer to the question, Why does the body age? In short, we age, and eventually die, because we live. But what can we learn from studying aging on a cellular level? Host Dr. Mary Leuchars talks with Dr. Steven Austad, professor of cellular and structural biology at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and research chair of the American Federation for Aging Research, about why humans age, why we age, how to extend longevity, and the ramifications of extending our lives.

House Calls, Medicare, and Patient Care May 04, 2009

Guest: Wayne McCormick, MD, MPH
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

House calls have become a rarity in the US, but were the cornerstone of medical care for most of modern medical history. Dr. Wayne McCormick, professor of medicine at the University of Washington's division of gerontology and geriatric medicine, talks about how physicians are once again incorporating house calls into their practice. How do insurance companies and Medicare reimburse house call visits, and are house calls a viable option for your practice? Hosted by Dr. Lee Freedman.

Growing Prevalence of Asthma in Seniors Apr 23, 2009

Guest: Richard deShazo, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

When older patients present with shortness of breath or fatigue, physicians may test for heart failure. Asthma is another diagnosis to consider, since a growing number of seniors have the condition. Dr. Richard deShazo, the Billy S. Guyton Distinguished Professor and professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, explains how older patients often experience asthma symptoms differently than younger patients. In a patient population that may have other comorbid conditions, what's the best way to treat asthma in seniors? Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.

Tailoring the Emergency Room for Older Patients Mar 17, 2009

Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Guest: William Thomas, MD

Why are conventional emergency departments less than ideal environments for older patients, and how can EDs be acclimated for seniors? Dr. William Thomas, geriatrician and professor of aging studies at the Erickson School at the University of Maryland, describes to host Dr. Lee Freedman the philosophy behind the nation's first ED designed specifically for older patients, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Springs, Maryland. How do staffing and design changes, as well as new screening methods, help physicians better care for older patients? Is this model cost-effective and efficient enough for other hospitals to emulate?

Working With Caregivers of Dementia Patients Jan 07, 2009

Guest: Karen B. Hirschman, PhD, MSW
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD

Is there a best-practice approach to working with families of patients with dementia? Dr. Karen Hirschman, research assistant professor in the department of nursing and a fellow at the Institute on Aging in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania joins host Susan Dolan, RN to discuss many aspects of caring for patients with dementia in the hospital and at home. She also shares the progress of the Enhancing Care Coordination Study examining the benefits of home nursing care following a hospital stay for dementia patients.

How Do We Assess Long Term Care Facilities? Dec 17, 2008

Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Charles Crecelius, MD, PhD

There are many different types of long term care facilities, including nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. Dr. Charles Crecelius, clinical instructor of internal medicine and geriatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, explains the services these different facilities provide, and offers some suggestions to physicians about ways to assess long-term care facilities. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.

You can visit Medicare's Nursing Home Compare website here.

Additionally, senior resources for chronic pain, substance abuse, and addiction include the following:

the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, offers a search engine of more than 20,000 drug and alcohol treatment providers offering different methods and levels of care across the country.
the Forterus Senior Addiction Treatment Center page provides one of the most comprehensive resource for seniors with substance abuse and addiction problems available on the web.

The Genetics of Methuselah Nov 12, 2008

Guest: Nir Barzilai, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

What is the role of insulin growth factor in longevity? Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and chaired professor of medicine and molecular genetics, speaks about changes in insulin-like growth factor pathways in relation to longevity. The genotype of exceptional age is also associated with improved cognitive function.

The Underpinnings of Exceptional Longevity Nov 12, 2008

Guest: Nir Barzilai, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

What does the latest research tell us about longevity? Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and chaired professor of medicine and molecular genetics, discusses the development of a study in a homogenous founder population in order to identify the biological and genetic underpinnings of exceptional longevity. The genotype and associated phenotype may modulate aging processes and disease susceptibility. Hosted by Dr. Maurice Pickard.

Studying Our Aging Population to Improve Healthcare Nov 10, 2008

Guest: William Hall, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Dr. William Hall, director of the Center for Healthy Aging at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York, discusses with host Dr. Maurice Pickard the unprecedented increase in members of our population age 85 and older, and the role this may play in exceptional longevity. We know more today than we ever have before about disease factors that cause disability and frailty, such as depression, neuromuscular stability, cognitive status and urinary incontinence. How will these factors help to support older patients?

Diagnosing Self-Neglect in the Elderly Oct 24, 2008

Guest: Lisa Gibbs
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD

How is self-neglect defined and how prevalent is it in the elderly population? Dr. Lisa Gibbs, professor in the department of family medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, defines self-neglect and explains why it is a geriatric syndrome. She describes how to conduct a comprehensive assessment for self neglect, and discusses the relevant research. Hosted by Susan Dolan.

Evaluating Elder Competency and Elder Abuse Oct 24, 2008

Guest: Lisa Gibbs
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD

Dr. Lisa Gibbs, associate professor in the department of family medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, describes the different types of elder abuse and who is most vulnerable. She explains how physicians evaluate mental capacity and the difference between capacity and competency. She also discusses the latest research in elder abuse. Hosted by Susan Dolan.

Safe Sex for Patients Over 60 Aug 14, 2008

Guest: Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD

Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, assistant professor in the departments of OB/GYN and geriatrics and the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, discusses the findings of her landmark study on the sexual practices of older Americans. Older adults are indeed sexually active and healthcare providers need to discuss issues of sexuality with this group of patients. How may one approach this sometimes difficult to address topic and what should be discussed with our older adult patients? Hosted by Dr. Lee Freedman.

Considering the Lifespan of Men Jun 18, 2008

Guest: Marianne Legato, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

What does the research show about why men as a whole approach healthcare differently than women? How do physical, mental and environmental factors impact male health? Dr. Marianne J. Legato, professor of medicine at Columbia University and author of Why Men Die First: How to Lengthen Your Lifespan, joins host Dr. Maurie Pickard to discuss andropause, male depression, and heart health, as well as the general subject of disease, and risk-taking, screening feelings about mortality, and more.

Alzheimer's Disease: What Do Physicians Need to Know? May 29, 2008

Guest: Jill Grimes, MD
Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP

More than five million Americans struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. How can you determine if your patients' moments of forgetfulness are an early sign of this illness? How can you help families make tough decisions about independent living? Dr. Jill Grimes, a practicing family physician in Austin, Texas, and author of the chapter on Alzheimer’s in the 5-Minute Clinical Consult textbook, joins host Dr. Jennifer Shu to share her insight on diagnosing, caring for and counseling our Alzheimer’s patients. What adjustments can we make to our practice to best assist patients and their families coping with the burdens of Alzheimer’s?

Treating Patients as They Approach End of Life May 14, 2008

Guest: Dennis McCullough, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

In the later stages of life, patient care often requires a different approach. How can a physician help geriatric patients and their loved ones through the last stations of life: decline, prelude to dying, dying and grieving? Dr. Dennis McCullough, associate professor of community and family medicine at Dartmouth School of Medicine and practicing geriatrician for 30 years, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to explain ‘slow medicine.' Dr. McCullough discusses a forward approach to planning, understanding a patient's comfort with risk vs. safety, as well as building and using a team.

'Slow Medicine': A Compassionate Approach to Caring for our Elders May 14, 2008

Guest: Dennis McCullough, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Dr. Dennis McCullough embodies the Tibetan wisdom 'make haste slowly.' How can we navigate caring for our elders with compassion and understanding? Dr. Dennis McCullough has been an in the-trenches family doc and geriatrician for 30 years. He serves as a faculty member in the department of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. He is author of the book My Mother, Your Mother: Embracing 'Slow Medicine,' the Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Loved Ones. What exactly is slow medicine? Tune in for host Dr. Leslie Lundt's conversation with Dr. McCullough to find out.

The Longevity Bible: 8 Essential Strategies for Keeping Your Mind Sharp and Your Body Young Apr 01, 2008

Guest: Gary Small, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

Dr Gary Small is Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Parlow-Solomon Professor on Aging at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is a leading expert on memory and aging, joining host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss his latest book, The Longevity Bible.

Successful Aging in a High-Tech World Apr 01, 2008

Guest: Gary Small, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD

What are the greatest challenges as we age? Will healthcare and lifestyle improve concurrently? In one of the first conferences of its kind, the UCLA Center on Aging presented a one-day symposium featuring a discussion among national academic and industry leaders about the interface between new technology and aging. Host Dr. Leslie Lundt examines this intersection with Dr. Gary Small, director of the UCLA Center on Aging, and a leading expert on memory and aging.

Geriatrics: Help Wanted (and Needed) Mar 26, 2008

Guest: Ken Brummel-Smith, MD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Eighty million Americans will be above age 65 by the year 2030. This projection offers clear warning that our health care system needs more specialists in geriatric medicine. So, how does the practice of geriatrics compare to internal medicine? How can our policies encourage an influx of geriatricians? Host Dr. Bill Rutenberg talks with Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine.

Treating Alzheimer's Patients Inside & Out Mar 26, 2008

Guest: Ken Brummel-Smith, MD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Alzheimer's patients display many special personal needs beyond the physical care of their disease. How can doctors and caretakers work through the challenges posed by cognitive disability? Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor and chair of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine, explores the social and psychological needs of Alzheimer's patients with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg. Like all of us, they desire respect, dignity, and the best feasible quality of life.

Polypharmacy Issues and the Elderly Mar 26, 2008

Guest: Ken Brummel-Smith, MD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Are you certain the prescribed medication is helping your elderly patient? Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor in the department of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg about reducing polypharmacy in the elderly. What questions should you ask yourself before prescribing a drug to an elderly patient? How does the patient’s age, adherence and side effects relate to your prescribing decision? Is there a framework you can use to help make these difficult prescribing decisions? Join us to learn more.

Seniors and HIV: The Myths and the Realities Mar 14, 2008

Guest: Jane Fowler
Host: Gary Kohn, MD

As an HIV/AIDS prevention educator, and founder and director for the HIV Wisdom for Older Women Program, Jane Fowler describes her work in educating the public and medical community on the impact of HIV incidence and contraction in seniors with host Dr. Gary Kohn. Tune in and listen to a revealing discussion on the increasing rate of infection of HIV in seniors, including their diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Early Alzheimer Screening Device: DETECT Jan 30, 2008

Guest: David Wright, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Our guest, Dr. David Wright shares news of a new device currently being tested to screen for mild congnitive impairment, one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's. Is this a device you should have in your office? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel to find out.

Surgery and Aging: Inclusive or Exclusive? Oct 23, 2007

Guest: Lazar Greenfield, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD

Dr. Lazar Greenfield observes the conundrum that there are many standards a physician must comply with to become a surgeon, but no set standards for when a surgeon should retire. Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill speaks with Dr. Greenfield, professor in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and director of the preventive cardiology program and vascular health screening program at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, regarding his longitudinal study on the abilities and self-perception of aging surgeons.

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