July 27, 2021

33 - Caring for Elders

33 minutes

In the third installment for our Cedars-Sinai series, hosts Dr. Steven Taback and Bill Curtis are joined by Geriatrician Dr. Sonja Rosen, where they discuss the in’s and out’s Geriatric Medicine and at home care for the elderly. The group also discusses the organization (or lack there of) of the countries medical records in regard to polypharmacy, how to handle the difficult conversations that revolve around elderly care, and some tips for both you and your loved ones to live a long and quality life.

In this dedicated series, we're showcasing the medical breakthroughs & innovations from one of the world's most preeminent hospitals: Cedars-Sinai. Cedars-Sinai is dedicated to improving the health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research, and clinical care.

Episode Timestamps:

2:09 What is unique about treating geriatrics vs normal internal medicine?

3:10 Is diagnosis harder for older people?

3:47 Should you give up your normal internist for a geriatrician? Can you?

5:49 Do geriatricians usually get brought in as specialists?

7:00 What can the average person do to improve their lifespan and quality of life?

8:38 Do memory supplements work? Does Dr. Rosen recommend any specific ones?

10:00 How much and what kind of exercise do we really need?

11:04 Tips on convincing patients to exercise?

14:00 How to approach your elderly ones in moving towards finding a geriatrician?

15:40 Are electronic records well organized for the case of poly pharmacy?

20:00 Fixing the chaos of poly pharmacy?

23:00 Managing insurance companies and getting the best medications in your patients hands

24:22 How to handle the difficult situation of ‘independence’ with your elderly loved ones.

27:30 How important is teeth care?

28:25 How important is ‘hearing’ as an elderly person?

29:13 Swallowing issues as an elderly person

29:50 Does our sleep decline the older we get? Why?

31:08 High blood pressure treatment as an elderly person

31:54 What are the ‘4 Ms’ of optimally caring for older patients?