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Helping Older Parents Podcast
By Better Health While AgingArts
Helping Older Parents Podcast episodes
- 010 – How to Know if Your Aging Parent Should Still be Making DecisionsIn This Episode:
Dr. K explains what all family caregivers should know about decision-making capacity, especially if there’s a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. Plus how incapacity is confirmed to activate a power of attorney.
She covers:
- How to recognize signs of “mental incompetence”
- 4 decision-making abilities needed for capacity
- Why capacity is decision-specific
- Incapacity vs incompetence
- How to get an older person’s decision-making capacity assessed by professional
- How to activate a “springing” power of attorney
Related episode:
009 – If Your Aging Parent is Resisting a Memory Loss Evaluation
Related Resources:- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A geriatrician’s step-by-step guide to memory loss, resistance, safety worries & more
- Incompetence & Losing Capacity: Answers to 8 FAQs
- What You Can Do if You’re Worried About “Incompetence”
20 min - 009 – If Your Aging Parent is Resisting a Memory Loss EvaluationIn This Episode:
Dr. K explains what you can do, if your aging parent has been refusing to see the doctor for their memory or thinking problems. She covers:
- Why older adults are often reluctant to get medically evaluated for memory loss
- 5 tactics that families can use to try to persuade the older person
- How to trigger less fear of the evaluation
- How to frame the evaluation in a positive way for your parent
- If they are still refusing despite your best efforts
Related episode:
008 – Is it important for your aging parent with memory loss to go to the doctor?
Related Resources:- Related article: What You Can Do if You’re Worried About “Incompetence”
- Related article: Incompetence & Losing Capacity: Answers to 8 FAQs
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
11 min - 008 – Is getting a memory loss evaluation really worth the trouble?In This Episode:
People with memory loss often refuse to see a doctor. So how important is it for them to go and get medically evaluated? Dr. K answers this common question in this episode. She covers:
- Why aging parents with memory loss often resist evaluation
- 6 specific benefits of getting evaluated
- The most common cognitive tests used in the initial evaluation
- How long it might take to get an actual diagnosis
- How an evaluation can help you address safety concerns.
Related episode:
007 – How to talk to your aging parent about memory loss concerns
Related Resources:- Related article: How We Diagnose Dementia: The Practical Basics to Know
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
13 min - 007 – How to Talk to Your Parent About Their Memory LossIn This Episode:
What can you do if your aging parent with memory loss refuses to admit to their problems, or is waving off your suggestions that they get help? In this episode, Dr. K explains how to discuss memory loss and other worrisome symptoms with your aging parent. She covers:
- A simple technique that will quickly improve your conversations
- A 5-step framework for talking to your parent about their memory loss issues
- Sample phrases to start the conversation
- What YOU need to learn from the conversation (and why)
- How to end on a positive note
Related episode:
009 – If Your Aging Parent is Resisting a Memory Loss Evaluation
Related Resources:- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
13 min - 006 – 10 Warning Signs of Early Alzheimer’s DiseaseIn This Episode:
When an older person starts to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, what are the earliest warning signs to look out for? In this episode, Dr. K explains 10 warning signs that often catch her attention.
She covers:
- Why her list isn’t quite the same as that of the Alzheimer’s Association
- 10 early warning signs she considers especially important
- What to know about “lack of insight” (also known as “anosognosia”)
- What to know about accusations, delusions, and paranoia
- What to do if you notice possible warning signs in your older loved one
Related episode:
002 – What causes memory loss as people get older?
Related Resources:- Related article: 8 Behaviors to Take Note of if You Think Someone Might Have Alzheimer’s
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
16 min - 005 – How ADLs and IADLs Change in Early Alzheimer’sIn This Episode:
When an aging parent develops memory loss, or other signs that might be early Alzheimer’s disease, how does that affect their ability to manage their self-care tasks, such as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)? Dr. K explains what types of problems families should anticipate and check for.
She covers:
- How memory loss affects ADLs & IADLs
- Common IADL problems in early Alzheimer’s
- Managing medication in early Alzheimer’s
- What to do after identifying IADL or ADL issues
Related episode:
004 – What are ADLs and IADLs (& why they matter in memory loss)
Related Resources:- Related article: What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
0 min - 004 – What are ADLs and IADLs (& why they matter in memory loss)In This Episode:
Dr. K explains what are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and why they matter when it comes to helping older adults age in place. She also explains why they are part of diagnosing mild cognitive impairment vs dementia, and their role in certain aspects of eldercare.
She covers:
- 4 ways ADLs and IADLs are used in eldercare
- Why eldercare professionals often assess ADLs and IADLs
- Why ADLs and IADLs matter in memory loss
- What are ADLs
- What are IADLs
- The difference between ADLs and IADLs
- How ADLs and IADLs are assessed
- Why these are essential to assess if your parent wants to age in place
Related episode:
005 – How ADLs and IADLs Change in Early Alzheimer’s
Related Resources:- Related article: What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
0 min - 003 – Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s, & Dementia: What’s the difference?In This Episode:
Dr. K answers a question she is often asked: “What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment (also known as MCI)?” She covers:
- What it means to have “cognitive impairment”
- The definition of “mild cognitive impairment” (MCI) and how it’s diagnosed
- What is dementia, and the diagnostic criteria for diagnosing dementia
- The difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- What it means to have “preclinical” Alzheimer’s disease
- How Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed
- What to know about the new Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab (Aduhelm)
- How to use this information if your parent is getting evaluated for memory loss or cognitive decline
Related episode:
002 – 10 Causes of Memory Loss in Aging Parents
Related Resources:- Related article: How We Diagnose Dementia: The Practical Basics to Know
- Related article: How to Diagnose & Treat Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
20 min - 002 – 10 Causes of Memory Loss in Aging ParentsIn This Episode:
Dr. K explains several different health conditions that can cause memory loss in older adults and in aging parents, and why memory loss doesn’t mean a person is developing Alzheimer’s disease.
She covers:
- 10 common causes of memory loss that she checks for, when an aging person is developing short-term memory loss or other signs of thinking problems
- How identifying the cause of memory loss can lead to better cognitive function for the older person
Related episode:
001 – Is Memory Loss Normal in Aging?
Related Resources:- Related article: Cognitive Impairment in Aging: 10 Common Causes & 10 Things the Doctor Should Check
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
Never Miss an Episode! Sign up here to be notified of our latest podcast episodes by email9 min - 001 – Is Memory Loss Normal in Aging?In This Episode:
Dr. K explains why short-term memory loss is not normal in aging, and what to do if your parent has become forgetful. She also explains what types of memory changes ARE normal with aging.
Related episode:
002 – 10 Causes of Memory Loss in Aging Parents
Related Resources:- Related article: 6 Ways that Memory & Thinking Change with Normal Aging (& What to Do About This)
- Free online training: Memory Loss & Safety: How to Have Better Talks & Fewer Fights With Your Aging Parent
- Dr. Kernisan’s book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A Geriatrician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Memory Loss, Resistance, Safety Worries, & More
- Get 12 weeks of expert guidance from Dr. K and her team of geriatric care managers, on how & when to step in to help a parent with memory loss: Helping Older Parents with Early Memory Loss Program
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About Helping Older Parents Podcast
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Practical information for aging health & family caregivers