Episodes
   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...
Published 01/07/22
Dr. K provides updated information on Omicron and the current COVID surge, how well vaccines are working in different age groups, why she recommends boosters, how to stay safe during the holidays, and more.
Published 12/17/21
   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...
Published 12/17/21
Dr. K explains how to know if an aging parent needs help, specific warning signs to check for, and what to say (and not say!) when bringing up your concerns. This approach can be used when visiting an older parent, especially if they're showing signs of memory loss or declines in independence.
Published 11/19/21
    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...
Published 11/19/21
Dr. K provides updated information on how well COVID vaccines work over time, the recently approved COVID boosters, what to know about rapid home COVID testing, how to stay safe during the holidays, and more.
Published 10/29/21
 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...
Published 10/29/21
Dr. K provides updated information on the current Delta variant surge, the effectiveness and safety of COVID vaccination for older adults, including information on the latest on boosters and how to know what precautions to take right now.
Published 09/10/21
 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...
Published 09/10/21
Dr. K provides updated information on the current Delta variant surge, the effectiveness and safety of COVID vaccination for older adults, including information on the latest CDC data and guidance. She explains why she thinks resuming masking is wise and also addresses FAQs about coronavirus vaccination.
Published 07/30/21
 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...
Published 07/30/21
Geriatrician Dr. Didyk explains how depression is diagnosed and treated in later life, why depression can be harder to diagnose in older adults, medical conditions that can mimic depression, and more.
Published 05/20/21
Watch the subtitled video and search the transcript by clicking above.(For a short tutorial on how to search the transcript, see here.) In This Episode: Guest host Dr. Nicole Didyk discusses the diagnosis and treatment of depression, including why it’s often tricky to diagnose in later life, and how it can be treated. (Note: depression in the context of dementia will be covered in an upcoming episode.) Dr. Didyk is a geriatrician in Canada, and the founder of the blog...
Published 05/20/21
Dr. K provides updated information on the effectiveness and safety of COVID vaccination for older adults, including information on breakthrough infections in nursing homes and the latest CDC data and guidance. She also addresses FAQs about coronavirus vaccination.
Published 05/15/21
.searchie-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .searchie-container iframe, .searchie-container object, .searchie-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }   In This Episode: Dr. K provides commentary on the recent COVID developments, including the CDC’s latest mask guidance for vaccinated people, plus updated information on the effectiveness and safety of COVID...
Published 05/15/21
Dr. K provides updated information on the effectiveness and safety of COVID vaccination for older adults, including information on the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines. She also addresses FAQs about coronavirus vaccination.
Published 03/26/21
.searchie-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .searchie-container iframe, .searchie-container object, .searchie-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }   In This Episode: Dr. K provides updated information on the effectiveness and safety of COVID vaccination for older adults, including information on the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson&Johnson vaccines. She also...
Published 03/26/21
Geriatrician Dr. Didyk explains what to know about leg swelling in aging, including common causes, when to get urgent help, and how to treat chronic leg edema.
Published 02/25/21
Watch the subtitled video and search the transcript by clicking above.(For a short tutorial on how to search the transcript, see here.)     In This Episode: Guest host Dr. Nicole Didyk explains what older adults and families should know about leg edema (swollen legs), a common condition that affects aging adults. Dr. Didyk is a geriatrician in Canada, and the founder of the blog and YouTube channel The Wrinkle. She discusses: Why is it common for the lower legs to...
Published 02/25/21
Dr. K talks about what is in her new book for people worried about an aging parent, and her step-by-step approach to addressing memory concerns or safety worries, while respecting a parent s autonomy and dignity. Featuring fellow geriatrician Dr. Nicole Didyk, who recently found the book useful as she s been helping her own aging parents.
Published 01/21/21
Watch the subtitled video and search the transcript by clicking above.(For a short tutorial on how to search the transcript, see here.)   In This Episode: Dr. K talks to fellow geriatrician Dr. Nicole Didyk about her new book: When Your Aging Parent Needs Help: A geriatrician’s guide to memory loss, safety worries, resistance, and more. Dr. Didyk is the founder of the blog and YouTube channel The Wrinkle. They discuss: What led Dr. K to create this step-by-step guide for...
Published 01/21/21
Dr. K discussed the new Pfizer COVID vaccine and the data on how well it works in older adults, especially those over age 75. She also explains how to go beyond media reports to find out more vaccine information specific to aging adults.
Published 12/18/20
In This Episode: Dr. K discussed the new Pfizer coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, with a special focus on understanding how well it works and how safe it is, in aging adults. This episode covers: What to know about vaccine media reports and older adults Why it’s important to try to find out the actual ages (and age distribution) of older participants in vaccine trials How Dr. K looks at a published study to determine whether the vaccine works for her patients Why the current...
Published 12/18/20
Dr. K shares an update on the COVID-19 for older adults and people helping aging parents, including developments in treatment, what to know about the ongoing surge, the progress on vaccines, how to stay safe during the holidays, and more.
Published 11/20/20
Watch the subtitled video and search the transcript by clicking above. (For a short tutorial on how to search the transcript, see here.) In This Episode: Dr. K shares an update on the coronavirus (COVID19) situation and more recommendations to help older adults and people concerned about aging parents. This episode covers: The coronavirus situation today Why COVID rates are so high right now Latest developments in treatment & vaccination What this means for older...
Published 11/20/20