Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a bioethics and geriatric care contributor A cognitively intact adult has the legal and ethical right to refuse any medical treatment, including treatment that could save their life. According to the AMA's Code of Medical Ethics, patient autonomy is a foundational principle of medicine, and a
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a VA benefits specialist VA pharmacy benefits are earned benefits, not charity. The VA provides prescription medications to enrolled veterans at copays that max out at $11 per 30-day supply for non-service-connected conditions, and at zero cost for service-connected conditions and veterans below the VA income threshold. For
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a licensed pharmacist contributor Most older adults on multiple prescriptions qualify for a free, hour-long pharmacist review that catches dangerous interactions, eliminates duplicate drugs, and simplifies the daily pill routine. Medicare Part D covers this service for eligible beneficiaries, yet according to CMS data only a fraction of
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a board-certified geriatric pharmacist The transition from hospital to home is one of the most dangerous moments in your parent's medical care. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, nearly 20 percent of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge, and medication
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a patient advocacy and geriatric care contributor A doctor who does not listen, does not explain, or does not coordinate care is not just frustrating; they are a risk to your parent's health. According to AHRQ research, effective physician-patient communication is directly associated with better treatment
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a telehealth and pharmacy practice contributor Telemedicine lets your parent consult with a doctor or pharmacist about medications from home, eliminating the transportation barrier that keeps many older adults from timely follow-up care. According to CMS data, telehealth utilization among Medicare beneficiaries increased dramatically in recent years and
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a board-certified internal medicine physician contributor When a chronic condition outgrows what a primary care doctor can manage alone, a specialist brings the focused training and tools to close the gap. Getting the referral is the easy part; coordinating care between multiple specialists so nothing falls through the
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a board-certified geriatric medicine specialist Some complementary approaches have solid evidence behind them, and some have none at all. Acupuncture, tai chi, and CBT-based therapies have earned NIH recognition for specific conditions in older adults. High-dose supplements, homeopathy, and unregulated herbal remedies carry real risks, from drug interactions
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a licensed rehabilitation medicine contributor Rehabilitation after a stroke, surgery, or serious illness uses physical, occupational, and speech therapy to restore as much function and independence as possible. According to AHRQ, older adults who begin rehabilitation early after a neurological event recover more function than those who delay,
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a board-certified palliative medicine physician contributor Palliative care is medical treatment focused on relieving suffering and improving quality of life, and it works alongside curative treatment rather than replacing it. Research published through AHRQ shows that patients who receive early palliative care report better symptom control, less depression,
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a board-certified geriatric medicine specialist A second opinion is not an insult to your parent's doctor. It is standard medical practice, especially for serious diagnoses and major treatment decisions. Studies published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that second opinions changed the diagnosis or treatment
Medications and Treatment
Reviewed by a board-certified geriatric medicine specialist Clinical trials give your parent access to treatments that aren't otherwise available, and modern protections make them far safer than most families assume. The NIH maintains over 400,000 studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, with growing numbers actively recruiting adults over 65.