Sleep in Older Adults - Pharmacotherapy. Older adults frequently report sleep-related complaints and have questions about appropriate sleep therapies. A previous edition of Elder Care, "Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Insomnia in Older Adults," discusses the…
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disorder in which an abnormal clone of plasma cells proliferates in the bone marrow. Plasma cells make antibodies (immune globulins), and in MM a clone of abnormal plasma cells produces…
Spirituality is central to the self-identity of many older adults. It informs beliefs and practices in an array of areas that can help clinicians understand a patient's family and marital relations, diet, communication and caregiving…
Dialysis in the Older Adult. The number of persons aged 65 years and older with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing and is expected to grow further in the coming years. Simultaneously, the percentage of…
Low Vision Aids. The National Eye Institute reported that in 2014 more than 4 million adults in the US had blindness or low vision, and the majority were over age 65. By 2030, that number…
Pneumonia in Nursing Home Patients. Pneumonia is a common infection among nursing home residents. It is also a serious infection, with 30-day mortality rates estimated at between 10 and 30 percent. TIPS ABOUT DIAGNOSIS AND…
Delirium in the ICU is a disturbance in consciousness characterized by an acute onset of impaired cognitive function with a fluctuating course. The pathophysiology is poorly understood but thought to be related to an imbalance…
Dyspnea is a common symptom in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with increasing prevalence at the end of life. Dyspneic patients experience difficult, labored, or uncomfortable breathing and often describe breathlessness, air…
Dentures for Older Adults. Many older adults suffer from poor dentition, and dental care is a major geriatric concern. Tooth loss can be caused by periodontal disease, tooth decay, and trauma. Other contributing factors can…
Not all Dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some tips for recognizing Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia syndromes. TIPS FOR RECOGNIZING NON-ALZHEIMER'S DEMENTIA SYNDROMES When patients are being evaluated because of cognitive impairment, consider causes other than Alzheimer's…
