Better Health While Aging

Dr. K explains how to plan for aging and what to do today, 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 covers the most common pathways at the end of life, and how to retain quality of life despite challenges.

Geriatric social worker Michelle Allen explains how the parts of Medicare (A, B, C, D) work and whether to consider Medicare Advantage. Plus what to do during Medicare Open Enrollment.

Dr. Kernisan talks with Dr. Cara Pellegrini, an expert in cardiac electrophysiology, to discuss what older adults should know about atrial fibrillation (afib), including its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. They also discuss blood-thinners, the newer Watchman procedure, and special considerations when there is frailty or Alzheimer's.

Geriatrician Dr. Kernisan provides an update on COVID & explains the 2024 vaccines for the three respiratory viruses likely to be very active this fall and winter.

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. Plus how to make driving safer for all older adults.

Dr. K covers why vitamin D is important, what the research shows about optimal blood levels, and what daily dose seems to be best for aging adults. She also covers the latest research suggesting high doses of vitamin D can be risky in aging, and what health benefits to expect from vitamin D.

Dr. K explains the most common types of dementia in older adults, including Alzheimer's, Lewy body, vascular, and mixed. She also covers less common types, when to get more diagnosis, and more.

Dr. K explains the 4 types of exercise that help older adults maintain independence and mobility, and which ones prevent falls & frailty. She also covers protein intake, how to exercise when there's Alzheimer's, avoiding injuries and more.

Dr. K explains mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and discusses scientifically tested approaches to treating this memory condition, including the role of medications, supplements, hearing support, Leqembi and more.

Dr. Kernisan covers the best ways to promote brain health and prevent cognitive decline in aging. Learn which approaches geriatricians find most effective, plus which vitamins and supplements are likely to help. Dr. K also covers emotional well-being in aging, and how this affects cognitive health.

Dr. Kernisan & Michelle Allen, LCSW, explain how Aging Life Care Professionals (also known as geriatric care managers) help older adults and their families.

Dr. K discusses the current rise in COVID cases, the related risks for aging adults, what to know about the newest Omicron variants, and the most effective ways to take sensible precautions. She covers: Where we are at with COVID now, and the impact on aging adults About the Omicron variants BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 What’s changed (& hasn’t) with COVID The latest on COVID vaccine efficacy during Omicron What to know about first and second boosters The latest on how COVID is being transmitted What to do for masking to be effective Ventilation & checking CO2 levels Does rapid testing still work? What to know if you catch COVID Whether to mask on airplanes & answers to other FAQs Her top recommendations for taking reasonable precautions right now Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. This is an affiliate link, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, at no extra cost to you. Related Episodes: 127 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (2.24.22 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do To track COVID data: NY Times COVID Tracker OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard CDC Wastewater Surveillance CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status CDC: COVID variant proportion tracker FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers For masking, ventilation COVID transmission information: CIDRAP: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind COVID-19 protection Project N95 Twitter resources @kprather88, ...

Dr. K explains 8 things health providers should check after an older person falls, to prevent future dangerous falls in aging.

Dr. Kernisan & geriatric care manager Michelle explain options for paying for senior care, including for aging in place, residential facilities, memory care & more.

Dr. K covers the latest on COVID in the US now, how to follow COVID levels, updates on COVID boosters, how to know if you still should take precautions, tips on staying safe for the summer, and more.

Dr. K covers the recent rise in COVID, the new variant, and the upcoming booster. Plus FAQs such as whether to get boosted now or wait.

Dr. K discusses the latest COVID news for 2023, including what’s most important for aging adults and their families to know for the spring. She also covers the problem of doctors inappropriately not prescribing Paxlovid (the best treatment if an older adult does catch COVID), and how to advocate to get it successfully. In this episode: The current COVID & flu situation (cases & hospitalizations) About the new Covid variant XBB.1.5 What the public health emergency ending will mean for you How to know if you need to worry about COVID What to know about COVID reinfections If you’re high risk and need to avoid catching COVID Update on the bivalent COVID booster When can you get your next COVID booster? Update on masks to prevent COVID COVID symptoms in 2023 The best treatment for COVID (Paxlovid) & an FDA checklist that can help you get it Summary of what to know for COVID in Spring 2023 Note: For the masks Dr. K recommends, you can get 3M Aura here https://amzn.to/3PJJyRO, 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! Related Episodes: 131 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (12.8.22 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID & Aging Adults: 2023 & 2022 Updates COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do To track COVID data: NY Times COVID Tracker Wastewater: CDC Wastewater Surveillance Biobot.io wastewater tracker Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard CDC Variant Proportion Tracker CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status CDC & FDA information referenced in this update: FDA: PAXLOVID Patient Eligibility Screening Checklist Tool for Prescribers

Dr. K discusses what aging adults & families should know about COVID and flu this winter. She covers: The currently increasing rates of COVID & flu What to know about the new Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 How well the fall COVID bivalent booster is working so far How to avoid getting sick and how to gather safely When to mask and how to do so effectively Why use a HEPA air purifier at home and how to choose one How to detect COVID now How to treat COVID Her top recommendations for staying safe during winter gatherings Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. For the masks Dr. K is using, you can get 3M Aura here https://amzn.to/3PJJyRO, the 3M V-flex here https://amzn.to/3OxrsRY, and the Powecom KN95 here https://amzn.to/3W9frXf Dr. K’s HEPA air purifier is here https://amzn.to/3Y96crN These are Amazon affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, thank you! Related Episodes: 130 – COVID Booster Update for Aging Adults (9.7.22 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do To track COVID data: NY Times COVID Tracker Wastewater: CDC Wastewater Surveillance Biobot.io wastewater tracker Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard CDC Variant Proportion Tracker CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status CDC Datasets in this update: Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection — Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September–November 2022

Dr. K discusses what aging adults & families should know about the new fall COVID boosters, the latest Omicron variants, and more. Plus who died of COVID this summer and how to know if you’re at high risk of severe COVID. She covers: The current COVID situation & variants in the US Newer variants overseas that might evade immunity What’s in the new bivalent fall COVID booster How the fall booster was developed and tested Why there has been debate about the fall COVID booster Data review: who died of COVID this past summer? The data on the benefit of boosters so far Dr. K’s predictions regarding benefits of the fall COVID booster When to get your fall COVID booster Do you need a booster if you’ve had Omicron? Summary of Dr. K’s COVID booster recommendations, including which booster, if you have a choice What to know about Paxlovid and what to do if you catch COVID Related Episodes: 129 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (7.21.22 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do To track COVID data: NY Times COVID Tracker Wastewater: CDC Wastewater Surveillance Biobot.io wastewater tracker Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard CDC Variant Proportion Tracker CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status Fall COVID booster resources: CDC ACIP Meeting Slides from September 1, 2022 For human and mice data on Omicron booster: Moderna slides, Pfizer slides CDC Datasets in this update: Rates of COVID-19 Cases or Deaths by A...

Dr. K discusses the high COVID levels, the related risks for aging adults, what to know about Omicron BA.5, the data on boosters, and the most effective ways to take sensible precautions. She covers: The current COVID situation and how high cases really are   What to know about COVID hospitalization numbers   Whether COVID vaccines are still working The data on first and second boosters How the new Novavax COVID vaccine works   How to test for COVID How long to isolate if you get COVID What to know about Paxlovid and relapsing after Paxlovid What masks she recommends   How to take reasonable precautions Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. The masks that Dr. K is currently using include 3M V-flex N95, and 3M Aura N95. These are affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, at no extra cost to you. Related Episodes: 128 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (5.5.22 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do To track COVID data: NY Times COVID Tracker Wastewater: CDC Wastewater Surveillance Biobot.io wastewater tracker Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard CDC Variant Proportion Tracker CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status FDA: Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Composition (6/30/22) Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted Emergency Use Authorization Review Memorandum (7/13/22)

In This Episode: Dr. K discusses the ebbing of the Omicron surge, what to know about the “stealth” Omicron BA.2 (it has taken over in Denmark and is growing here), how to “live with COVID” safely, and more. She covers: Why current COVID numbers are better but still not low enough What we’ve learned about vaccines & boosters during the Omicron surge What we can learn from Denmark lifting all COVID restrictions How to compare US COVID data to that of other countries, and why our outcomes are worse What to know about the Omicron sister variant BA.2 What it would mean for COVID to be “endemic” The ideal approach to living with COVID Wastewater & other ways to monitor COVID in your local area What older adults can do to keep themselves and their families safer Note: The CDC released updated guidance re COVID and assessing local COVID-19 community levels on 2/25/22. Dr. K has posted written comments regarding this on her 2022 COVID article: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates. Related Episodes: 126 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (1.6.22 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do To track COVID data: NY Times COVID Tracker OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard CDC Wastewater Surveillance CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status CDC: COVID variant proportion tracker FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Twitter threads referenced in update: Kristian Andersen on Danish COVID outcomes since restrictions were lifted Bob Wachter on estimating the COVID risk of attending a party Photo summarizing his math here From medical journals and research groups: UK Health Secur...

In This Episode: This episode covers the latest on the ongoing Omicron surge, including whether it’s milder in older adults, what’s we’ve learned about rapid testing for Omicron, what to know about the current hospital situation, how to stay safer during the surge, and more. The episode also addresses these FAQs: But isn’t Omicron supposedly “milder”? Do COVID tests (PCR and rapid) work against Omicron? Do the COVID vaccines still “work”, and will they work against Omicron? Are the COVID vaccines effective in older adults? Why get vaccinated/boosted if you’re just going to get COVID anyway? What about those new COVID treatments? Shouldn’t we just “let it rip”? And if I test positive for COVID? Is it safe to …. Related Episodes: 125 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (12.16.21 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do CDC: COVID 19 Quarantine and Isolation Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers From medical journals and research groups: Imperial College London Omicron severity report (Dec 22, 2021) From news and other media: NY Times COVID Tracker The C.D.C. Is Hoping You’ll Figure Covid Out on Your Own (Zeynep Tufecki, Jan 5, 2022) Emerging Data Raise Questions About Antigen Tests and Nasal Swabs (Jan 5, 2022) CDC recommits to isolation and quarantine guidelines without tests (Jan 4, 2022) Pfizer Investor Presentation (covers Paxlovid and more) (Dec 17, 2021) Twitter sources that helped with this update: Dr. Eric Topol (good for all kinds of COVID data and info) Graphic for PCR and rapid tests

In This Episode: This update covers Omicron, COVID boosters, plus how to search the CDC data to see just how well vaccines have worked, even in older adults. I also show the data demonstrating that vaccinated people age 80+ are still at higher risk of serious COVID than unvaccinated people under age 50; this is why fully vaccinated older adults should take precautions during the current surge! (View the show notes page to watch my subtitled talk and my slides.) This episode includes: What do we know about Omicron so far, and will the vaccines remain protective Should I get vaccinated against COVID? Should my 90-year-old mother get the COVID vaccine? How well does the vaccine work in older adults? How to use CDC data to see how well it works in different age groups Should I worry that the vaccine might harm me (or my frail older parent)? Who should get a COVID booster and why? How to stay safer during the holidays. Related Episodes: 123 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (10.28.21 Edition) Related Resources: BHWA: COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do CDC: CDC COVID Data Tracker  County view (to check your local transmission rates) Rates of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Vaccination Status Rates of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations by vaccination status Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant — United States, December 1–8, 2021 (report on first Omicron cases in US) COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Safety (from 11/19/21 CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force Meeting) From medical journals: Preliminary findings from study after Christmas party in Oslo (Norwegian Institute of Public Health) Protection of BNT162b2 Vaccine Booster against Covid-1...

In This Episode: Dr. K explains what to do if you’ve become worried about your aging parent, and are trying to figure out if they need help, or are unsure of what to do next. She covers: What mental changes are normal as people get older, and what’s not normal The three types of problems you’ll want to check for Specific signs to check for, to detect possible memory or thinking problems How to tell if your parent needs more help around the house or with their daily life The safety red flags I usually check for A more respectful and effective way to talk to your aging parent about how things are going What to stop doing and what to do instead, to reduce conflicts Related episode:  028 – When Older Parents Resist Help: 4 Tips for Better Talks Related Resources: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A geriatrician’s step-by-step guide to memory loss, resistance, safety worries & more 6 Ways that Memory & Thinking Change with Normal Aging (& What to Do About This) What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)? Never Miss an Episode! Sign up here to be notified of our latest podcast episodes by email