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Blog Archive

Treatment Options For Dementia Apr 17th, 2021

In this post, I want to discuss treatment options for a person diagnosed with Dementia. By now, I hope that you have read the previous posts, including when memory changes are abnormal, different types of Dementia, and what a geriatric memory clinic evaluation entails. A person who has been diagnosed...

What Really Happens in a Memory Clinic? Apr 8th, 2021

By Dr. Golnosh Sharafsaleh MD In this post, I will go over what happens when a person is seen in a memory clinic. Generally, when a person is evaluated by a memory clinic, they have already seen their primary care provider for initial assessment of cognitive changes. These changes include...

Dementia is an Umbrella Term Apr 2nd, 2021

What is Dementia? In this post, I want to talk about Dementia. The word Dementia basically means loss of cognitive function. Cognitive function means impaired ability to remember, think, reason, solve problems, recognize date or time, difficulty with speech, and carry out routine day-to-day tasks. I often have patients ask...

Could This Be Dementia? Mar 28th, 2021

By. Dr. Golnosh Sharafsaleh MD. As a geriatrician, who specializes in memory disease I see patients almost daily for memory-related issues. Sometimes patients self-present to the memory clinic due to concerns that they may be developing dementia. Other times family members bring loved ones in due to problems that they...

(Don't) Give Me A Break: Osteoporosis and You Mar 21st, 2021

Osteoporosis and You Osteoporosis (aa·stee·ow·pr·ow·suhs) literally means "porous bone." The bones become weak as a result of the body losing too much or not creating enough bone. Unfortunately, weak, thin bones tend to break, and most people with Osteoporosis have no symptoms until they break a bone. It is estimated...

At What Age Should I Stop Driving? Mar 15th, 2021

Do you ever wonder when it may be time to stop driving? In the United States, driving is an essential part of most people's lives. For older adults, driving can help maintain independence. Only a handful of cities in the United States are considered pedestrian-friendly, meaning most individuals need a...

How Safe are Over-The-Counter Medicines for Older Adults? Mar 15th, 2021

Over-The-Counter medicines, also known as OTC's! Up to 46% of older adults take an OTC medicine with their prescription medicines. If you are an older adult, think twice about using an OTC medication. Consider the safety of these medications including the risks and their benefits. The way our bodies process...

When to See a Geriatrician Mar 15th, 2021

We as geriatricians are doctors who specialize in the care of older adults, usually aged 65 years and older. We take a holistic approach to caring for older adults. A well known geriatrician, Dr. Frank Molnar describes “The Geriatric 5 M’s” in highlighting the particular health considerations unique to older...

What you don't know about vitamins and herbs... Mar 15th, 2021

Approximately 52% of older adults take dietary supplements with their prescribed medications. Americans spend as much as $35 billion annually on dietary supplements, with minimal to no evidence supporting their use. Although vitamins and herbs may seem harmless, they can be dangerous for older adults when combined with certain medications....

Frailty and Aging Mar 15th, 2021

Frailty is a decrease in the body's ability to handle stress and is a predictor of poor outcomes. Frailty is an increasingly recognized geriatric syndrome. It is a chronic and progressive process described as an age-related decline in physical function and reserve in multiple body systems. It can be manifested...

Don't Let Falls Get You Down Mar 15th, 2021

Age should not be the reason older adults fall, it is only a small risk factor. Did you know that falls are one of the most common events that threaten the independence of older adults? Complications of falls are the leading cause of death from injury in people 65 years...

Am I Taking Too Much Medicine? Mar 13th, 2021

Am I taking too much Medicine? How much is too much? Are the Medications I am taking Safe? This post will discuss information related to medication side effects, which includes prescription medications, over the counter medications (OTCs), vitamins and herbal supplements. I will discuss aging changes that can increase the...

What Happens When We Age? Mar 13th, 2021

Updated: Mar 15 How do we age, and how does aging increase our risk of developing chronic disease? In this post I want to take both the concepts I know as a gerontologist and as a geriatrician to write about the impact of aging on physical health leading to chronic disease....