Better Health While Aging

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what all older adults and family caregivers should know about the new flu shots available for older adults this year and recommendations for influenza vaccination during this first COVID fall. This episode covers:

The basics of influenza and why vaccination is important

What we know about influenza and COVID-19

Why older adults are at higher risk of harm from the flu and how the vaccine works

The two key ways you can protect yourself from the flu

Why this year is a good time to make sure older adults are uptodate on their one-time pneumococcal vaccination

What to know about flu shots designed for older adults

Which influenza vaccine she thinks is best for most older adults

When to get vaccinated by

What to do if your older relative is unable or unwilling to get vaccinated

View subtitles and search the transcript for this episode, by clicking below:

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Related Resources:

Flu Shots for Older Adults During COVID Times: What to Know & Do for 2020

CDC: U.S. Influenza Vaccines for the 2020-21 Season

CDC: Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine

CDC: Vaccine Effectiveness – How Well Does the Flu Vaccine Work?

CDC: Fluzone High-Dose Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

CDC: FLUAD Flu Vaccine With Adjuvant

CDC: Pneumococcal Vaccination

How to boost your immune system (Harvard Health Review)

To find a place to get your annual influenza vaccination: VaccineFinder.org

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In This Episode:

Dr. K shares the coronavirus (COVID19) information and recommendations she presented on 7/16/20 to members of the Helping Older Parents Membership.

She covers:

The coronavirus situation today

Are we better at preventing COVID?

Are we better at treating COVID?

Current COVID treatments available in the hospital

Dr. K’s take on hospitalization for frail older adults with COVID

Useful resources and her recommendations for this summer

Related Resources:

Uptodate.com COVID-19 Resources & Tools (Coronavirus Resources)

What is a pulse oximeter

Center to Advance Palliative Care COVID Response Resources – see info in the symptom management section.

TheConversationProject.org:

Conversation Guide: Being Prepared in the Time of COVID-19

PrepareForYourCare.org 

Get their easy advance directives for almost all states here.

Get their COVID resources, including their PREPARE for COVID-19 Tip Sheet here.

POLST.org

Learn how POLST helps frail and seriously ill adults get better care, and find out what is available for your state.

Institute on Aging Friendship Line

This free service provides trained volunteers to talk to older adults who are lonely or depressed; they are also qualified as a crisis line for anyone contemplating harming themselves.

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In This Episode:

Dr. K shares an update on the coronavirus (COVID19) situation and more recommendations to help older adults and people concerned about aging parents.

To watch the video version, click here.

This episode covers:

The coronavirus situation today

Key points on what Dr. K has learned about COVID so far (and what we’re still trying to figure out)

Updates on testing & reducing COVID transmission

If you’re wondering “Is it safe to…?”

COVID & Older Adults: the tradeoffs we’re facing

Nursing homes and COVID

Dr. K’s recommendations for this summer

Related episode: 

109 – Interview: Nursing Homes & Other Long-Term Care During COVID Times

Related Resources:

News & Updates:

NY Times:

Six Months of Coronavirus: Here’s Some of What We’ve Learned

After 6 Months, Important Mysteries About Coronavirus Endure

Testing Nursing Home Workers Can Help Stop Coronavirus. But Who Should Pay?

5 Rules to Live By During a Pandemic

Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count

Washington Post:

Hugo Sosa survived the ICU. But for coronavirus patients like him, that’s just the start of recovery.

Resources:

NEJM: False Negative Tests for SARS-CoV-2 Infection — Challenges and Implications

FDA: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

CDC: Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing  (includes information on test sensitivity and positive predictive values)

FDA: Authorized Serology Tests Performance

Dr. K discusses COVID with Dr. Karl Steinberg, an experienced nursing home medical director and the President-Elect of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. They discuss how COVID has affected nursing homes so far, and how we can move forward to address safety and wellbeing for long-term care residents, during pandemic times.

Dr. K and guest experts Dr. Nicole Didyk and Richard Caro, PhD, answer reader questions about aging health during COVID times, including how to maintain physical and mental wellbeing during isolation and much more.

Dr. K talks with geriatrician Muriel Gillick MD about her latest book, The Caregiver's Encylopedia: A Compassionate Guide to Caring for Older Adults.

Dr. K shares her updates on how the COVID19 situation has evolved, including what she's learned about the condition, what to know about hospitalization and care options, and more.

Dr. K shares her updates on how the COVID19 situation has evolved, implications for older adults and families, plus suggestions on helping aging parents, helpful resources, and more.

Dr. K shares the COVID19 information and recommendations she presented this week in the Helping Older Parents Membership, plus answers to member questions about preparing themselves and protecting their aging parents.

Dr. K talks with geriatrician Dr. Nicole Didyk about what she learned from a geriatric sex therapist, and how sex can be better in later life. They discuss common issues that come up, what can be done, how being a hands-on caregiver can affect sex, sexuality in dementia, and much more.