Definition Ageism is a form of discrimination defined by the World Health Organization as "stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age." Ageism is a widespread and insidious practice that can…
Dehydration in older adults is common. Two national studies, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and the Established Populations for Epidemiological Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) estimated that 40% of community-dwelling older…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become the third leading cause of death worldwide, following ischemic heart disease and stroke. Morbidity from COPD increases with age and is affected by the presence of other comorbid…
Medicare is a US government-sponsored program that provides health insurance coverage for adults over 65 and qualified individuals with disabilities. This issue of Elder Care will focus on Medicare for older adults. TIPS ABOUT MEDICARE…
Herpes zoster, commonly known as "shingles," is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It occurs in about 1 million individuals each year in the US. Due to waning cell-mediated immunity over time, age is…
The number of methadone prescriptions written for pain management grew more than 5-fold between the late 1990s and 2007. Although more recent data have shown slight decline between 2007 and 2014, methadone is still widely…
Numerous abnormalities of the aortic valve occur in different age groups. This edition of Elder Care will discuss degenerative calcific aortic stenosis, which is the most common form of aortic stenosis seen in older adults.…
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) is a preventive health benefit for older adults. All beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B for 12 months are eligible for an initial Medicare Annual Wellness Visit followed by…
Age-Related Vestibular Disorders: Implications for Older Adult Patients. The prevalence of dizziness and imbalance increases with age and as a result, these problems are common in older adults. Studies have shown that older adults who…
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common condition that geriatricians and primary care providers can easily manage. This issue of Elder Care will review the most important information needed to diagnose and treat RLS. TIPS…
