Geriatrics

This 3-pg printer-friendly handout covers diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis. The significance of calcium and vitamin D are addressed, including how to increase these nutrients in Asian diets. Specific types of exercise are detailed. Treatments of osteoporosis are briefly mentioned. Available in English and Chinese.

This NIH/NIAMS 5-pg handout covers common knee problems. It provides an overview of anatomical considerations and a simple knee illustration. Arthritis and traumatic disorders are described, along with conditions relating to cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Simple home-care recommendations are included, such as rest, ice, elevation, and NSAIDs.

This AHRQ booklet for adults summarizes research about the most effective treatment strategies for knee osteoarthritis including getting active, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking pain medications. Also includes information on those options found to be less effective.

This AHRQ 16-pg color booklet describes different treatment options for preventing broken bones due to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, their efficacy, side effects and costs.

This NIH/NIDDK 12-pg fact sheet defines constipation, its possible causes (including a diet low in fiber or a diet high in fats), and describes various diagnostic tests and treatment options. Specific diseases that cause constipation, complications that may arise, and problems with the colon, rectum and intestional function are also described.

NIA's 8-pg illustrated fact sheet describes how Alzheimer disease is diagnosed and treated from the onset to the later stages, where patient care involves extensive caregiver support. Covers the cognitive sx and physical changes in the brain that occur as the disease progresses through the mild, moderate and severe stages. Includes information on medications and strategies for maintaining mental function and managing behaviorial sx. Also available in Spanish as 24-pg downloadable PDF.

This 108-pg booklet provides guidance on how to care for a person w/ Alzheimer disease. It covers safety, everyday care, and common behavior and medical problems of people w/ AD. Includes practical strategies for effective communication, getting support w/ caregiving, and planning for health, legal and financial issues.

This 1-pg, printer-friendly handout defines dementia and lists the common signs and symptoms of the condition. Alzheimer disease and other causes of dementia are discussed, along with their risk factors. It briefly discusses medications to slow the progression of illness.

The NIA's comprehensive 36-pg guide to frontotemporal dementia and other brain disorders explains how these often difficult-to-diagnose disorders profoundly and progressively affect personality, behavior, language, and movement. It summarizes the different types of disorders including the most common, bvFTD, how they are diagnosed, and early and later symptoms. Practical information for pts and caregivers is provided on how to treat and manage these life-changing conditions. 

The NIA's 5-pg guide on planning for the future outlines essential steps for preparing for the possibility of being unexpectedly sick or disabled. Covers legal documents such as wills and trusts, advance directives, living wills and powers of attorney (general & durable). Includes a check list of important types of personal and financial records that should not be overlooked.

This 8-pg guide lists helpful lifestyle changes and home safety improvements that older adults can implement to minimize their chance of falls and broken bones. Highlights tips such as staying physically active, having one's eyes and hearing tested, and knowing the side effects of medications taken. Includes a special precaution for persons w/ osteoporosis.

This trifold printer-friendly brochure lists symptoms of mild, moderate and severe traumatic brain injury in older adults. It highlights 4 areas for fall prevention: exercise to improve balance and strength, medication review, regular vision checkups, and specific steps to make the home/surroundings safer. Available in English and Spanish.

This 124-pg illustrated guidebook on the benefits of physical activity and exercise for adults 50+ focuses on improving endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. It addresses how much and how often specific physical activity should be performed for optimal benefit and how to do so safely. Includes tips for nutritious eating and staying hydrated. Goal-setting tools and worksheets to track progress are also provided.

This 1-page printer-friendly handout describes the benefits of keeping fit. It describes aerobic, strengthening, and balancing execises. Practical pointers for starting and maintaining fitness activities are included. It also lists danger signs that should prompt patients to stop activity and see a provider.

This 2-pg printer-friendly, bilingual (English/Spanish) fact sheet discusses some of the possible signs of hearing loss that should lead parents to contact their child's healthcare provider. Causes and consequences of hearing loss are described. Diagnostic tests are briefly discussed.

NIA's fact sheet helps older adults to understand when losses in sense of smell and/or taste may be natural and age-related vs due to short-term causes such as allergies, medications, or radiation/ chemotherapy tx. Cautions that sometimes sensory changes may be signs of a more serious health condition such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. Provides tips for coping with these changes through dietary and lifestyle modifications.

This 1-pg, printer-friendly handout lists the common types and causes of chronic stresses. It focuses on the effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac function. It includes a discussion of dietary, exercise, and other behavioral changes that patients can make to prevent and manage stress.

This 4-pg printer-friendly guide to fitness and physical activity for older adults describes the benefits of staying active and making it part of one's daily routine. The guide promotes exercises that focus on increasing endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Basic exercise safety tips and precautions for when to consult a doctor before beginning an exercise program are also discussed.

This 10-pg pamphlet, available in English and Spanish, explains what blood pressure is, what range is normal, and why high blood pressure is sometimes called “the silent killer.” The booklet touches on risk factors, isolated systolic hypertension, treatments, and taking your blood pressure at home. Resources for information are also included.

This 1-pg information sheet from the American Diabetes Association explains how taking a low-dose aspirin every day can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke for people at high risk, such as those with diabetes. Patients learn who else is at high risk, how aspirin lowers risk, and if it’s safe for everyone. Also discussed are different forms of aspirin and daily dosing.

This FDA 2-pg handout describes menopause and its symptoms, hormone therapy benefits and risks, bioidentical hormones, "natural"  menopause products, and online resources for additional information.

This FDA 2-pg pocket guide lists questions to ask providers about the appropriateness of hormone therapy (benefits, risks, minimum doses, side effects), types of health screenings, and optimal lifestyle changes.

This 5-pg handout from NIAAA addresses the often-overlooked problem of alcohol use in older adults, covering the adverse effects of drinking too much over a long period of time, interactions with medicines, how much drinking is too much, and signs of a drinking problem. Tips on how to get help and resources for more information are also included.

The NIMH's 27-pg color booklet contains detailed information on depression symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments, with a special section on how different populations, including children and teens, experience the illness. Tips on coping with depression and helping loved ones are provided, as well as resources for those in crisis.

This FDA 1-pg color handout describes the prevalence of depression in the U.S. population, possible causes, signs, and treatment of depression, and postpartum depression.

NIA's 7-pg guide helps older adults to cope with the loss of a spouse, including the deep emotional upheaval that is part of the mourning process. It discusses the physical and emotional impact of grief on sleep, concentration, eating, and decision-making and how it may differ for men and women. Outlines suggestions at the various stages of the grieving process for feeling better, taking care of oneself, and planning for financial and legal matters.