Dr Liz Geriatrics

11/13/2025

There is such a joy in growing plant. Outside of you can… for elders indoor pots are great. Very manageable.

11/11/2025

Thinking about using Xanax to help your loved one with dementia feel calmer? Please read this first.

Xanax (and similar drugs like Ativan and Klonopin) might seem like a quick fix for anxiety, sleep issues, or agitation, but for older adults, especially those with dementia, it can do more harm than good.

In fact, Xanax is often called “the crack of the suburbs” because of how powerful and addictive it can be, even after just a few days.

Here’s what you might not know:
* It can worsen confusion and agitation over time
* It may cause falls, paranoia, or disinhibition
* Tolerance builds quickly, leading to a dangerous cycle of increasing doses and withdrawal symptoms

Short-term calm isn’t worth long-term risk.

At Dr. Liz Geriatrics, we help families find safer, more effective ways to manage behavior changes in dementia, without compromising brain function or quality of life.

Learn why Xanax may not be the best choice and what to consider instead:
https://drlizgeriatrics.com/dementia/medication/xanax/

11/09/2025

What happens when the people meant to protect an elder… take advantage instead?

Financial elder abuse within families is more common (and more complicated) than most people think. And when dementia is involved, it becomes even harder to detect.

It often starts subtly:
- A relative “helping” with bank accounts
- A name added to a deed or credit card
- A few unexplained withdrawals or purchases

And suddenly, things don’t feel right.

If your loved one has dementia, it’s critical to:
* Review bank statements and legal documents regularly
* Keep communication open between trusted family members
* Ensure every financial decision is in the elder’s best interest, not anyone else’s

These conversations are hard, but silence puts elders at risk.

If you suspect financial abuse, you’re not alone and you don’t have to guess what to do next.

My book Living in the Moment includes an entire section on protecting loved ones from elder abuse and what steps to take if something feels off. Find out more here:
www.drlizgeriatrics.com/book/

11/09/2025

No. It’s not that there’s not enough money in the govt to pay for social goods such as… cybersecurity, infrastructure, healthcare affordability, supporting rural hospitals, nursing homes, diplomatic food programs benefiting our farmers… oh yeah and food support for those 42M, many working @ Amazon, Walmart, elders and children…. Or we can have a 4.3Trillion tax cut for billionaires. 🤷🏼‍♀️

The Battle That Explains Our Time

11/08/2025

Remember when falling down just meant getting back up and brushing it off?

As we age, it’s not always that simple.
Our balance shifts. Muscles weaken. Bones become more fragile. And suddenly, a fall can mean something much more serious.

But the good news is: you can still get stronger, at any age.

Getting stronger doesn’t mean hitting the gym seven days a week. It means moving your body in ways that feel good and keep you steady:
* Brisk walks
* Gentle yoga or stretching
* Swimming or water aerobics
* Golf (yes — walk the course!)
* Modified strength exercises, even from a chair or bed

The stronger and more balanced you are, the more confident and independent you stay.

A few simple fall prevention tips:
- Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes
- Watch transitions — like stepping over rugs or getting in and out of a car
- Take your time. There’s no shame in pausing to plan your next step
- If needed, use a cane, walker, or hiking poles for extra support

Preventing falls is about protecting your independence and your future.

For more tips on aging wisely and living stronger, visit:
www.drlizgeriatrics.com

11/08/2025

A little boost. For the times that you think it’s all too much. Center yourself. Do your best.

But it’s not AGT… it’s a rainy day and you need to get other people to help you with the caregiving.

At just 12 years old, Ansley Burns was nervous of the judges, especially Simon, but as soon as she entered the stage she got a sass about her. She chose Aret...

11/07/2025

If your loved one has dementia, chances are you’ve heard of medications like Aricept, Exelon, or Razadyne. These are part of a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, and they’re often prescribed early in the diagnosis to support memory and thinking.

Unfortunately families are rarely told:
- These medications don’t stop dementia, they may help delay symptoms for a while
- They work for some, but not for all
- They can come with side effects like nausea, dizziness, or even worsening agitation

At Dr. Liz Geriatrics, we help families understand the real benefits and real limits of dementia medications, so you can make informed choices without false hope or pressure.

Medication should never be “one size fits all.” And just because it’s prescribed, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your loved one.

Learn more about cholinesterase inhibitors and what to ask before starting them:
https://drlizgeriatrics.com/dementia/medication/cholinesterase-inhibitors/

11/06/2025

We’ve all seen the ads targeted toward men that ask: “Not feeling like yourself lately? Struggling with low energy or sexual function? You might be wondering, is it low testosterone?”

For a small number of older men (about 2%) that could be the case. And yes, testosterone therapy may help if a true deficiency is found.

However, most ads don’t tell you that for the other 98%, symptoms like fatigue, low libido, and performance issues are more often linked to things like:
- Vascular disease
- Depression
- Smoking
- Alcohol use

And testosterone therapy? It’s not a quick fix. It carries serious risks, including:
* Prostate cancer growth
* Heart attack and stroke
* Thickened blood that increases clot risk

Sometimes the right solution isn’t a prescription, it’s a deeper look at your overall health.

Before jumping into testosterone treatment, talk to a doctor who looks at the full picture, not just the symptoms.

Learn more:
https://www.drlizgeriatrics.com/

11/06/2025

Who needs occupational therapy? More people than you might think, especially older adults.

If your loved one is recovering from a fall, struggling to dress themselves, or just not moving like they used to, occupational therapy (OT) can make all the difference.

It’s not just about regaining strength.
It’s about regaining confidence — and the ability to live each day with more ease, safety, and independence.

OTs help with:

* Fall prevention
* Safe movement around the home
* Daily tasks like bathing, cooking, and dressing
* Energy conservation for those with chronic conditions

At Dr. Liz Geriatrics, we believe OT should be part of the care conversation sooner — not just after an accident or hospital stay.

Because staying independent isn’t just about health — it’s about dignity.

Learn how occupational therapy can support your loved one’s well-being:
https://drlizgeriatrics.com/resources/occupational-therapy-who-needs-it/

11/05/2025

Never. Discounts the power of the kindness of strangers. Barber with a new client who has her head shaped while losing hair from chemo then takes a step in solidarity.

“I said I wasn’t going to cry when I was shaving my head, and he made me cry, but those were happy tears — complete happy, and he touched my heart completely...

11/05/2025

It doesn’t always look like theft.
Sometimes, financial abuse shows up as “helping.”
Helping to pay bills… helping with the checkbook… helping manage passwords.

But when someone has dementia, even small changes in judgment can make them vulnerable — and too often, the people taking advantage are those they trust most.

At Dr. Liz Geriatrics, we see how financial abuse can go unnoticed until it’s too late:

* A new “friend” added to the bank account
* Unusual spending patterns
* Missing funds or unpaid bills
* Confusion around legal documents or signatures

If your loved one is showing signs of memory loss, now is the time to set up protections — not later.

Because by the time it’s obvious, the damage is often done.

Learn the warning signs and how to safeguard your family:
https://drlizgeriatrics.com/dementia/financial-abuse/

11/04/2025

🤔 So I am facing a 25 hr journey to home to be with family, 2 stops. This is not instilling confidence in me.

TSA workers were told sick calls will bring “appropriate accountability measures to the fullest extent possible” after the shutdown ends—but airport screeners told Forbes such threats would likely backfire.