Getting to a ripe old age may mean you have good genes and luck on your side, along with a healthy lifestyle. But as people accumulate birthdays, the medical system may undermine their vitality and independence.
Ageism in health care may mean that older people are pigeonholed and not offered care that is best for them. Many medications that are safe for younger adults can be dangerous for an older person. How can you protect your parents (or yourself) from prescriptions that cause problems?
Guest: Mark S. Lachs, MD, M.P.H. is Professor of Medicine and Co-Chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He is also director of Cornell’s Center for Aging Research and Clinical Care and Director of Geriatrics for the New York-Presbyterian Health System. He is the author of Treat Me , Not My Age: A Doctor’s Guide to Getting the Best Care as You or a Loved One Gets Older.
The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. Podcasts can be downloaded for free for six weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.
