Elderly, Geriatrics FAQ - Page 3

Mental disorders Hello, doctor! My mother passed away in July 2010. My father, who is now 75 years old, lives alone in a three-story house (the children live elsewhere). He has health issues, including hypertension and hearing loss, and he takes medication three times a day. In O...

Elderly individuals often experience sudden chills? Hello Dr. Liang: My father is now in his eighties, and I wonder if his sudden chills are due to the abrupt change in weather. These episodes come on very suddenly, causing him to shiver uncontrollably and tremble significantly, ...

Does consuming ginkgo biloba help improve memory? Dr. Ouyang, my father is 84 years old and has experienced a decline in memory over the past six months. I have heard that ginkgo biloba may improve memory, but I am unsure if this is true. Could you please clarify? Thank you! (My ...

For elderly patients with dementia who have had their dentures removed, a soft diet or a pureed diet should be considered? For elderly patients with dementia who have had their dentures removed due to the risk of swallowing, what type of diet should be applied: a soft diet or a p...

Sudden memory loss in the elderly? Dear Dr. Shen, My father has been experiencing strange behavior over the past two weeks, asking the same question multiple times a day, which he has never done before. I would like to consult you on the following: 1. Is this a sign of dementia...

Osteoporosis My mother is 82 years old and has severe osteoporosis, with weakened vertebrae. She is currently unable to sit or stand and can only lie down, experiencing excruciating pain even when trying to turn over. She is also unable to visit a doctor. Two years ago, she under...

Collecting scrap and bringing it home to pile up..? Hello Dr. Shen: I have a long-standing issue that I seek your professional opinion on. My mother-in-law is sixty years old and has a habit of collecting junk and hoarding it at home without organizing it, which has filled severa...

Could you please clarify your question, Dr. Shen? Dr. Shen: Ever since my grandfather passed away, my grandmother has completely changed; she has become very depressed and seems to be lost in her thoughts. She keeps thinking about various things, and seeing her like this makes me...

Elderly individuals experiencing dizziness? Doctor: Hello! My father is 88 years old with a blood pressure of 145/105 and a blood sugar level of 97/210 (he has been taking antihypertensive medication and medication for high blood sugar from Miaoli Provincial Hospital for a long t...

How to care for elderly individuals at home and assist them with medical appointments? Hello: Since general hospitals do not have a "geriatric" specialty, I am unsure how to seek medical help for the physical and mental conditions of my elderly family member, and how to...

What are the common symptoms in the elderly? What are the most common diseases in the elderly? Or what symptoms are more frequently observed in older adults? Thank you!

Insomnia in the elderly There is an elderly person at home who often complains about insomnia. He has been treated at your hospital for diabetes and has discussed this issue with his attending physician, who prescribed sedatives for him. However, he still cannot sleep. Later, sle...

Suicidal behavior Hello Doctor: My 73-year-old mother was originally independent, healthy, and happy. However, after suffering from a severe cold in June of this year, her personality changed dramatically. She no longer enjoys dressing up, has altered her lifestyle, and has start...

Is it depression in the elderly or an issue related to aging? Hello Dr. Ouyang, my grandfather is nearly 90 years old this year. After my grandmother passed away over ten years ago, he has been living with my two aunts and often stays home alone. Therefore, we hired a female care...

Memory decline in the elderly? Hello Dr. Ouyang, my mother is currently 67 years old. Over the past two years, she seems to be showing signs of memory decline. She often forgets things that others or family members have just told her, and recently she has expressed that she frequ...

What types of candies are suitable for elderly individuals? My grandmother loves to eat candy, but she is quite old (over 70), and I'm worried she might choke on it, especially since sometimes she falls asleep while sucking on it. What type of candy would be safer for her? H...

Geriatric depression and dementia? Dear Dr. Wen-Cheng, My grandfather had a stroke two weeks ago and was discharged this week after the blood clot dissolved. However, he is still having difficulty with his speech and often wanders around. We have had to go to the police station ...

Is it Alzheimer's disease? Dear Doctor, my grandmother is 87 years old. At the beginning of this month, one night she suddenly exhibited signs of inappropriate laughter, appeared very fatigued, had an unsteady gait, and was unable to recognize family members or her surroundi...

What health issues can arise from elderly individuals not drinking enough water? Hello, my grandmother is 95 years old and usually only eats congee for her three meals (due to poor dental health). Occasionally, she eats some fruit. Additionally, she does not drink plain water eve...

Elderly individuals experiencing excessive sleepiness? Dear Dr. Ouyang, My father is 78 years old and recently, possibly due to the cold weather or other reasons, he has been frequently sleeping deeply and not waking up, missing both breakfast and lunch. He has previously been e...