Saturday, May 28, 2016

This is awesome! Way to go Dr. Heimlich

I love this story.  Dr. Heimlich, at 96, used his namesake maneuver for the first time to save a life!  Just goes to show that old people still matter a lot!

Friday, April 8, 2016

Caregiving school scholarship

For my many caregivers who are also in school, you can click on this link to apply for a $1500 scholarship.  Only 3 awarded nationally but it is wonderful to see this.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

What are the biggest risk factors for dementia?

Recently I came across this article on Nature Reviews which is a very good authoritative journal.  (article is not free).  It lists MODIFIABLE risk factors for Alzheimer's.  Guess what ranks highest?  Diabetes increases risk by 46%, hypertension by 61%, obesity by 60%, depression by 65%, smoking by 59%, low education by 59%.  But the highest risk for dementia was physical inactivity which raises the risk by 82%!!!!!!!

Therefore-WALK!

An encouraging note from your geriatrician.

ps these are relative risks.  So if your baseline risk of developing dementia is 10%, then physical inactivity will increase the risk to 18%

pps the biggest risk factor for dementia is age.  By far.  This is not easily modifiable ;)