Caregiving and the Holidays

Caregiving and Holidays Dr. Kaye suggested this topic, which seems timely and important, but not something I have any special expertise in. First of all, I’m a guy, so I’m generally oblivious to special occasions. Second, I’m Jewish. Third, I’m a doctor. Christmas to me means offering to work at the hospital so everyone else […]

Sleep and Aging

Professor Kaye is taking a break this month, so I’m going solo to talk about something that we can all relate to……..sleep. Earlier in my career I was a sleep researcher, studying sleep in diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. So sleep is something I like to talk about. But then again, […]

Do I need a professional geriatric care manager?

Do I need a professional geriatric care manager? Len: Last month in Age Smart, Cliff addressed what a geriatrician does and how this kind of medical specialist might be helpful to you. This month I consider when and why you might want to take advantage of the services of a professional geriatric care manager. Rosalynn […]

Do I need a geriatrician?

Do I need a geriatrician? Cliff: A geriatrician is a physician who specializes in the care of older adults. There aren’t many of us around. Most seniors see general internists, family physicians, family nurse practitioners or physician assistants as their primary care providers. So I’m frequently asked, ”Do I need a geriatrician?” Or more often […]

Who Will Help Those Who Don’t Have Children?

My husband and I did not have kids. Our siblings all have children. We have saved and expect to be comfortable in our retirement. I am presently retired and my husband will retire in about 2 years. We look forward to traveling and enjoying life. We recently met a similar couple who asked what our […]

The Value of Memories and Nostalgia

Exploring Our Memories in Later Life Cliff took the month off so I’m going solo. That gives me a chance to mix it up on the subject of memory and aging. Rather than talking about the symptoms of memory loss, which so many of us are inclined to do and worry about given the widespread […]

Sex and Intimacy in Later Life

Sex and Intimacy in Later Life Hello, Cliff here: You probably think you know a lot about sexuality in old age. Here’s the list of what I think you think you know: People lose interest in sex as they age. Men have less frequent and less rigid erections. Post-menopausal women have vaginal dryness that makes […]

When People Stash Instead of Trash

We didn’t receive any questions from readers this month, so we’ve decided to write on a topic of our own choice……hoarding. Surprisingly, one of the most vexing problems that health officials and aging service workers face is hoarding……….people who allow clutter to accumulate to the point where their homes become uninhabitable or even dangerous fire […]

To Retire or Not to Retire – That is the Question

To Retire or Not to Retire – That is the Question It seems like more and more of our relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues are stepping forward and announcing their leap into retirement. Heck, even the thought enters our minds on occasion – especially after an especially stressful, frustrating or aggravating day on the job. […]

“My Mother, My Idol”

Len: Dear “My Mother, my idol”……….. Your story is such a touching one and so beautifully told. Thank you for sharing it. My guess is that you have been and continue to be a wonderful child. Listen to Cliff’s advice in terms of having your mother receive a thorough assessment from a qualified specialist. Information […]