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Dr. K explains the 4 types of exercise that help older adults maintain independence and mobility, and which ones prevent falls & frailty. She also covers protein intake, how to exercise when there's Alzheimer's, avoiding injuries and more.
Dr. K explains mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and discusses scientifically tested approaches to treating this memory condition, including the role of medications, supplements, hearing support, Leqembi and more.
Dr. Kernisan covers the best ways to promote brain health and prevent cognitive decline in aging. Learn which approaches geriatricians find most effective, plus which vitamins and supplements are likely to help. Dr. K also covers emotional well-being in aging, and how this affects cognitive health.
Dr. Kernisan & Michelle Allen, LCSW, explain how Aging Life Care Professionals (also known as geriatric care managers) help older adults and their families.
Dr. K explains 8 things health providers should check after an older person falls, to prevent future dangerous falls in aging.
Dr. Kernisan & geriatric care manager Michelle explain options for paying for senior care, including for aging in place, residential facilities, memory care & more.
Dr. K covers the recent rise in COVID, the new variant, and the upcoming booster. Plus FAQs such as whether to get boosted now or wait.
Dr. K covers the latest on COVID in the US now, how to follow COVID levels, updates on COVID boosters, how to know if you still should take precautions, tips on staying safe for the summer, and more.
Dr. K discusses the latest COVID news for 2023, including what’s most important for aging adults and their families to know for the spring. She also covers the problem of doctors inappropriately not prescribing Paxlovid (the best treatment if an older adult does catch COVID), and how to advocate to get it successfully.
In this episode:
The current COVID & flu situation (cases & hospitalizations)
About the new Covid variant XBB.1.5
What the public health emergency ending will mean for you
How to know if you need to worry about COVID
What to know about COVID reinfections
If you’re high risk and need to avoid catching COVID
Update on the bivalent COVID booster
When can you get your next COVID booster?
Update on masks to prevent COVID
COVID symptoms in 2023
The best treatment for COVID (Paxlovid) & an FDA checklist that can help you get it
Summary of what to know for COVID in Spring 2023
Note: For the masks Dr. K recommends, you can get 3M Aura here https://amzn.to/3PJJyRO, the 3M V-flex here https://amzn.to/3OxrsRY, and the Powecom KN95 here https://amzn.to/3W9frXf
These are Amazon affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, thank you!
Related Episodes:
131 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (12.8.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID & Aging Adults: 2023 & 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
To track COVID data:
NY Times COVID Tracker
Wastewater:
CDC Wastewater Surveillance
Biobot.io wastewater tracker
Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker
OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer
CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Variant Proportion Tracker
CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status
CDC & FDA information referenced in this update:
FDA: PAXLOVID Patient Eligibilit
Dr. K discusses what aging adults & families should know about COVID and flu this winter.
She covers:
The currently increasing rates of COVID & flu
What to know about the new Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1
How well the fall COVID bivalent booster is working so far
How to avoid getting sick and how to gather safely
When to mask and how to do so effectively
Why use a HEPA air purifier at home and how to choose one
How to detect COVID now
How to treat COVID
Her top recommendations for staying safe during winter gatherings
Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8.
For the masks Dr. K is using, you can get 3M Aura here https://amzn.to/3PJJyRO, the 3M V-flex here https://amzn.to/3OxrsRY, and the Powecom KN95 here https://amzn.to/3W9frXf
Dr. K’s HEPA air purifier is here https://amzn.to/3Y96crN
These are Amazon affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, thank you!
Related Episodes:
130 – COVID Booster Update for Aging Adults (9.7.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
To track COVID data:
NY Times COVID Tracker
Wastewater:
CDC Wastewater Surveillance
Biobot.io wastewater tracker
Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker
OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer
CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Variant Proportion Tracker
CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status
CDC Datasets in this update:
Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection — Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September–November 2022
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Dr. K discusses what aging adults & families should know about the new fall COVID boosters, the latest Omicron variants, and more. Plus who died of COVID this summer and how to know if you’re at high risk of severe COVID.
She covers:
The current COVID situation & variants in the US
Newer variants overseas that might evade immunity
What’s in the new bivalent fall COVID booster
How the fall booster was developed and tested
Why there has been debate about the fall COVID booster
Data review: who died of COVID this past summer?
The data on the benefit of boosters so far
Dr. K’s predictions regarding benefits of the fall COVID booster
When to get your fall COVID booster
Do you need a booster if you’ve had Omicron?
Summary of Dr. K’s COVID booster recommendations, including which booster, if you have a choice
What to know about Paxlovid and what to do if you catch COVID
Related Episodes:
129 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (7.21.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
To track COVID data:
NY Times COVID Tracker
Wastewater:
CDC Wastewater Surveillance
Biobot.io wastewater tracker
Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker
OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer
CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Variant Proportion Tracker
CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status
Fall COVID booster resources:
CDC ACIP Meeting Slides from September 1, 2022
For human and mice data on Omicron booster: Moderna slides, Pfizer slides
CDC Datasets in this update:
Dr. K discusses the high COVID levels, the related risks for aging adults, what to know about Omicron BA.5, the data on boosters, and the most effective ways to take sensible precautions.
She covers:
The current COVID situation and how high cases really are
What to know about COVID hospitalization numbers
Whether COVID vaccines are still working
The data on first and second boosters
How the new Novavax COVID vaccine works
How to test for COVID
How long to isolate if you get COVID
What to know about Paxlovid and relapsing after Paxlovid
What masks she recommends
How to take reasonable precautions
Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. The masks that Dr. K is currently using include 3M V-flex N95, and 3M Aura N95. These are affiliate links, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, at no extra cost to you.
Related Episodes:
128 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (5.5.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
To track COVID data:
NY Times COVID Tracker
Wastewater:
CDC Wastewater Surveillance
Biobot.io wastewater tracker
Walgreens Test Positivity Tracker
OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer
CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Variant Proportion Tracker
CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status
FDA:
Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Composition (6/30/22)
Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted Emergency Use A
Dr. K discusses the current rise in COVID cases, the related risks for aging adults, what to know about the newest Omicron variants, and the most effective ways to take sensible precautions.
She covers:
Where we are at with COVID now, and the impact on aging adults
About the Omicron variants BA.2 and BA.2.12.1
What’s changed (& hasn’t) with COVID
The latest on COVID vaccine efficacy during Omicron
What to know about first and second boosters
The latest on how COVID is being transmitted
What to do for masking to be effective
Ventilation & checking CO2 levels
Does rapid testing still work?
What to know if you catch COVID
Whether to mask on airplanes & answers to other FAQs
Her top recommendations for taking reasonable precautions right now
Note: you can get the CO2 monitor Dr. K refers to on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3yhDtq8. This is an affiliate link, so any purchases will help support Better Health While Aging, at no extra cost to you.
Related Episodes:
127 – COVID Update for Aging Adults (2.24.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
To track COVID data:
NY Times COVID Tracker
OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer
CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Wastewater Surveillance
CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status
CDC:
COVID variant proportion tracker
FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
For masking, ventilation COVID transmission information:
CIDRAP: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind COVID-19 protection
Project N95
Twitter resources
In This Episode:
Dr. K discusses the ebbing of the Omicron surge, what to know about the “stealth” Omicron BA.2 (it has taken over in Denmark and is growing here), how to “live with COVID” safely, and more.
She covers:
Why current COVID numbers are better but still not low enough
What we’ve learned about vaccines & boosters during the Omicron surge
What we can learn from Denmark lifting all COVID restrictions
How to compare US COVID data to that of other countries, and why our outcomes are worse
What to know about the Omicron sister variant BA.2
What it would mean for COVID to be “endemic”
The ideal approach to living with COVID
Wastewater & other ways to monitor COVID in your local area
What older adults can do to keep themselves and their families safer
Note: The CDC released updated guidance re COVID and assessing local COVID-19 community levels on 2/25/22. Dr. K has posted written comments regarding this on her 2022 COVID article: COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates.
Related Episodes:
126 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (1.6.22 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
To track COVID data:
NY Times COVID Tracker
OurWorldInData.org Coronavirus Data Explorer
CDC Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Wastewater Surveillance
CDC COVID cases and deaths by vaccine status
CDC:
COVID variant proportion tracker
FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
Twitter threads referenced in update:
Kristian Andersen on Danish COVID outcomes since restrictions were lifted
Bob Wachter on estimating the COVID risk of attending a party
Photo summarizing his math
In This Episode:
This episode covers the latest on the ongoing Omicron surge, including whether it’s milder in older adults, what’s we’ve learned about rapid testing for Omicron, what to know about the current hospital situation, how to stay safer during the surge, and more.
The episode also addresses these FAQs:
But isn’t Omicron supposedly “milder”?
Do COVID tests (PCR and rapid) work against Omicron?
Do the COVID vaccines still “work”, and will they work against Omicron?
Are the COVID vaccines effective in older adults?
Why get vaccinated/boosted if you’re just going to get COVID anyway?
What about those new COVID treatments?
Shouldn’t we just “let it rip”?
And if I test positive for COVID?
Is it safe to ….
Related Episodes:
125 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (12.16.21 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID & Aging Adults: 2022 Updates
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
CDC:
COVID 19 Quarantine and Isolation
Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
FDA: Paxlovid EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
From medical journals and research groups:
Imperial College London Omicron severity report (Dec 22, 2021)
From news and other media:
NY Times COVID Tracker
The C.D.C. Is Hoping You’ll Figure Covid Out on Your Own (Zeynep Tufecki, Jan 5, 2022)
Emerging Data Raise Questions About Antigen Tests and Nasal Swabs (Jan 5, 2022)
CDC recommits to isolation and quarantine guidelines without tests (Jan 4, 2022)
Pfizer Investor Presentation (covers Paxlovid and more) (Dec 17, 2021)
Twitter sources that helped with this update:
Dr. Eric Topol (good for all
In This Episode:
This update covers Omicron, COVID boosters, plus how to search the CDC data to see just how well vaccines have worked, even in older adults. I also show the data demonstrating that vaccinated people age 80+ are still at higher risk of serious COVID than unvaccinated people under age 50; this is why fully vaccinated older adults should take precautions during the current surge!
(View the show notes page to watch my subtitled talk and my slides.)
This episode includes:
What do we know about Omicron so far, and will the vaccines remain protective
Should I get vaccinated against COVID?
Should my 90-year-old mother get the COVID vaccine?
How well does the vaccine work in older adults? How to use CDC data to see how well it works in different age groups
Should I worry that the vaccine might harm me (or my frail older parent)?
Who should get a COVID booster and why?
How to stay safer during the holidays.
Related Episodes:
123 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (10.28.21 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
CDC:
CDC COVID Data Tracker
County view (to check your local transmission rates)
Rates of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Vaccination Status
Rates of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations by vaccination status
Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination
SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant — United States, December 1–8, 2021 (report on first Omicron cases in US)
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose Safety (from 11/19/21 CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force Meeting)
From medical journals:
Preliminary findings from study after Christmas party in Oslo (Norwegian Institute of Public Health)
In This Episode:
Dr. K explains what to do if you’ve become worried about your aging parent, and are trying to figure out if they need help, or are unsure of what to do next. She covers:
What mental changes are normal as people get older, and what’s not normal
The three types of problems you’ll want to check for
Specific signs to check for, to detect possible memory or thinking problems
How to tell if your parent needs more help around the house or with their daily life
The safety red flags I usually check for
A more respectful and effective way to talk to your aging parent about how things are going
What to stop doing and what to do instead, to reduce conflicts
Related episode:
028 – When Older Parents Resist Help: 4 Tips for Better Talks
Related Resources:
When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A geriatrician’s step-by-step guide to memory loss, resistance, safety worries & more
6 Ways that Memory & Thinking Change with Normal Aging (& What to Do About This)
What are Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) & Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?
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In This Episode:
This video update covers COVID boosters, recent research on the efficacy of COVID vaccination in older adults over the last six months, why we are seeing breakthrough infections, and more. I also cover my recommendations for how aging adults and their families can be safer during the holidays, and using rapid antigen tests.
(View the show notes page to watch my subtitled talk and my slides.)
This episode includes:
The current COVID situation in US
What recent research shows, when it comes to how well the vaccines work over time and in older age groups
What to know about COVID boosters and who should get them
How to stay safe during the holidays
What to know about rapid antigen tests
My latest recommendations for older adult & families
Related Episodes:
122 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (9.9.21 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
CDC:
CDC COVID Data Tracker (to check your local transmission rates)
CDC: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
Rates of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by Vaccination Status
CDC: Comparative Effectiveness of Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Vaccines in Preventing COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among Adults Without Immunocompromising Conditions — United States, March–August 2021 (Published Sept 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People (CDC)
Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Nursing Home Residents Before and During Widespread Circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant — National Healthcare Safety Network, March 1–August 1, 2021
From medical journals:
Heterologous SARS-CoV-2 Booster Vaccinations – Preliminary Report
The accuracy of novel antigen rapid diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2: a living systematic review and meta-analysis
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness by Product and Timing in New York State (pre-print posted Oct 9, 2021)
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In This Episode:
This video update covers my latest thoughts on the Delta surge, what we’ve learned about the efficacy of COVID vaccination in older adults over the last six months, breakthrough COVID cases, and whether “boosters” will be required.
(View the show notes page to watch my subtitled talk and my slides.)
This episode covers:
The current COVID situation in US
What we’ve learned about COVID vaccination over 6 months
The latest on third doses (aka “boosters”)
How to know what’s safe & answers to FAQs
My latest recommendations for older adult & families
Note: A day after I recorded my update, the CDC released three additional studies regarding COVID vaccination. You can read about them here. Basically, one study concluded that vaccinated people are 5x less likely to get COVID, 10x less likely to be hospitalized, and 11x less likely to die of COVID. Another study found that vaccine efficacy is a bit lower in adults older than 75, compared to younger than 75, and that vaccine efficacy was better with Moderna than Pfizer. And a study in veterans found that “vaccine effectiveness in preventing COVID-19–related hospitalization was 80% among adults aged ≥65 years compared with 95% among adults aged 18–64 years.”
Related Episodes:
121 – Update: COVID Vaccination in Aging (7.29.21 Edition)
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
CDC:
CDC COVID Data Tracker (to check your local transmission rates)
CDC: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People (CDC)
Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Nursing Home Residents Before and During Widespread Circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant — National Healthcare Safety Network, March 1–August 1, 2021
From medical journals:
Comparison of two highly-effective mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 during periods of Alpha and Delta variant prevalence (Mayo Clinic pre-print Aug 20
In This Episode:
This video update includes my thoughts on the Delta variant and the latest CDC announcement regarding guidance for fully vaccinated adults, what to know about “breakthrough” COVID cases in nursing homes and elsewhere, recent studies on the efficacy of vaccines in older adults (and why some touted study results may not apply to older adults), who might not be well protected by the vaccine, and more.
(View the show notes page to watch my subtitled talk and my slides.)
This episode covers:
A recap of the current COVID & vaccine situation
What to know about Delta & the latest CDC mask update
“Breakthrough” COVID cases
Updates on COVID safety & efficacy in older adults and the immunocompromised
Whether boosters will be needed and whether to get one if available
My latest recommendations for older adults & families
Note: Since I recorded my update, the Washington Post has reported on the CDC’s internal presentation covering why they are so concerned about the Delta variant. The data presented is interesting and can be found here.
Related Resources:
BHWA:
COVID Vaccination for Aging Adults: What to Know & Do
CDC:
CDC COVID Data Tracker (to check your local transmission rates)
Internal CDC presentation on Delta variant and breakthrough infections (July 29, 2021)
CDC: When You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated
Nursing Home Covid-19 Data Dashboard
CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (meeting slides on vaccine safety and efficacy topics are usually very informative; browse for the latest ones here)
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness studies (May 12, 2021; includes some nursing home studies)
From medical journals:
Covid-19 Breakthrough Infections in Vaccinated Health Care Workers (July 2021)
Effectiveness of Covid-19 Vaccines against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant&n