In the last several videos, Dr. Ariel Green, an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, discussed risks related to medication use among older adults. She has also described problems associated with specific classes of medications. Here are some bottom-line points: Polypharmacy – Too many medicines The greater the number of medications a person takes, the higher the likelihood of problems. This includes side effects, interactions between medicines, and mistakes in taking medicines correctly. Five or more medicines is a rule of thumb that doctors use. More medicines are likely to result in […]
Holidays: Gifting YOURSELF the Right Amount of Connection
Holidays are a time of gift giving. Remember to give yourself an especially important gift: the “just right” amount of connection with others. Caregiving is hard work. Take care of yourself. If you don’t treat yourself well during the Holidays, when will you? Give yourself the gift of connection. I believe that there are five keys to a happy life: 1) having a sense of purpose 2) feeling spirituality 3) doing things that you enjoy 4) taking care of your body AND 5) connecting with other people. Think of these as your daily emotional vitamins. […]
Solving the over medication dilemma
In previous posts, Dr. Green had discussed some of the hazards associated with medication use among older adults. She has also discussed classes of medications that are of concern. In this final post, Dr. Green discusses approaches she has used to deprescribing. Warmest Aloha, [email protected] PS: I say it over and over again: There’s no one more important than the caregiver in the daily life of a frail person.
Medicines that can cause problems in seniors
In our last post Dr. Ariel Green described a patient who improved dramatically when many of her medicines were stopped. In this video, Dr. Green describes the classes of medications that can cause problems in seniors. Dr. Green is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine. Warmest Aloha, [email protected] PS: I say it over and over again: There’s no one more important than the caregiver in the daily life of a frail person.
Medicines, Medicines, Medicines, an Epidemic Problem
Whether it’s hypertension, diabetes, arthritis there’s always a prescription. For every problem there’s one or more drugs. But is this always good? Dr. Ariel Green, Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine points out that medicines are sometimes the problem. Geriatricians know. Every pill is a potential problem. Warmest Aloha, [email protected] PS: I say it over and over again: There’s no one more important than the caregiver in the daily life of a frail person.
“Wow! She really ate well!” 4 Things Caregivers Can Do to Improve an Older Person’s Appetite
I have a dear friend who is incredibly accomplished and independent. I’ve always loved visiting with and hearing about her adventures — including sailing around the world on a sailboat when she was well into her 70s! But on a recent visit, I became concerned. Now 93, my friend was sleeping much of the day. She’d had some falls and was unable to reach her walker on the other side of the room. Most concerning, she’d lost weight. When I checked her kitchen, she had very little food. The leftovers in her fridge were clearly […]
Why Won’t Mom Eat? The Doctor says nothing’s wrong
Mom isn’t eating well and she’s losing weight. She is down to 85 pounds. I’m completely frustrated. “Mom, please eat, you’re losing weight.” She just sits there and refuses. I feel like I’m forcing her. I took her to the doctor. He did a bunch of tests. He says there’s nothing wrong. Should I be worried? I’m sorry but the answer is yes. We all notice when a person has lost too much weight. It’s alarming. Poor appetite and weight loss in the elderly result in a downward spiral of weakness, impaired healing, and dependency. […]
A Patient with Delirium. Don’t Say: “You’re Confused!”
Dr. Inouye has been discussing delirium. By coincidence I recently cared for a patient with acute and distressing delirium. Sue is an 80-year-old woman who has mild Alzheimer’s Disease. Recently she fell and fractured a small bone in her hand. She was seen in the emergency room and a cast was put on. She was given a narcotic, hydrocodone, to relieve the pain. That night, at 1:30 in the morning, she walked over to her neighbor’s house in her nightgown. Her husband was sleeping next to her but didn’t wake up. The neighbors brought her […]
