You searched for Geriatrics - CLOSLER

August 28, 2018 | 4 min read

6 things you need to know about geriatric psychiatry

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In older adults, as in younger people, poor mental health undermines general health, quality of life, and overall functioning. Given the dearth of specialty-trained geriatric psychiatrists and geriatricians, it is crucial for all clinicians to have skills in the diagnosis and management of common mental health conditions affecting older adults.

April 17, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Ilene Browner, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Dr. Ilene Browner highlights the importance of learning and understanding her patients' hopes and goals of care.

August 27, 2019 | 3 min read

Letting the Laughter In

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

Excellent clinicians know that laughter can be a powerful tool in enhancing communication and building trust, particularly when working with older patients.

A patient's Maine coon kitten, pug puppy, and knitting project.

September 14, 2020 | 3 min read

The Unexpected Benefits of Seeing Patients Virtually

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Telemedicine allows patients and clinicians to see and respond to each other’s facial expressions. Plus, clinicians are offered deeper insight into their patient’s world.

November 19, 2019 | 2 min read

Aging Isn’t a Dirty Word

By Sharon Inouye, MD, MPH, Encore Public Voices Fellowship, and Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Harvard Medical School

To many, "aging" and "old" are considered dirty words. Clinicians should fight ageism.

October 8, 2019 | 4 min read

Can you hear me now?

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The onus may be on the clinically excellent doctor to overcome a the patient's disability that interferes with care. A pocket talker can make a big difference for patients with hearing impairment.

August 9, 2018 | 4 min read

Becoming a better ally

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

LGBTQ seniors are at a significantly higher risk for health disparities and frequently withhold their gender identity or sexual orientation from their physician due to fear of being turned away or discriminated against. It is up to each of us to educate ourselves so we can be empowered to routinely ask about the sexual health of our aging patients.

June 23, 2021 | 6 min read

Aducanumab: The Clinical Wisdom of Being Conservative, Careful, And Transparent

By Constantine Lyketsos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians frequently face thorny ethical dilemmas when caring for patients. Take time to reflect on all components of these issues before discussions with patients.

January 7, 2025 | 3 min read

“Hope is the thing with feathers”

By Karen Abernathy, CRNP, MSN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By acknowledging patient emotions and actively listening without judgement, clinicians can improve communication barriers. This can build trust and may be especially important for those who are resistant to our care recommendations.

Photo of Colin. Copyright with the family.

April 13, 2021 | 2 min read

Patient as Educator

By David Reid, Co-Director, Dare Dementia, England

From my patient with dementia, I learned that patients are experts on the lived experience of their illness. We must value and acknowledge their insights and be open to learning from them.

August 8, 2018 | <1 min read

“A CLOSLER Look:” Interview With Dr. Greenough

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

"Every note I write, I include something about the patient as a person. Everyone needs to understand who the person is who is experiencing the disease." Watch and listen as Dr. Greenough shares a couple pearls of wisdom from over six decades of clinical experience in a five minute YouTube interview.

A drive-in BINGO game during the pandemic,

November 9, 2020 | 2 min read

Supporting Older Patients’ Emotional Health During The Pandemic

By Art Walaszek, MD, University of Wisconsin

We can support our patients’ well-being by encouraging safe social interactions and addressing psychiatric illness.

"Dreamscape." Painting by the author.

September 30, 2024 | <1 min read

Approaching the horizon

By Jessica Berry, PhD, clinical psychologist

My painting, “Dreamscape,” represents the importance of acknowledging and addressing patients' feelings about aging and mortality.

"A day in the life of a caregiver." Digital art by Lingsheng Li.

July 31, 2024 | <1 min read

A day in the life of a caregiver

By Lingsheng Li, MD, MHS, University of California, San Franscisco

Family and friends caring for people with chronic illness often shoulder immense burdens without adequate support. Clinicians can help by expressing gratitude and/or acknowledging some of the challenges they face.

June 13, 2024 | 2 min read

Lightening the load

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians can prioritize patient well-being by discussing the burden of engaging in care. Collaborate with patients to ensure recommendations are feasible and consider alternative approaches if necessary.

June 10, 2024 | 2 min read

Let’s talk about sex and aging

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Open and inclusive questions during routine visits with older patients can improve their sexual health outcomes.

"Caregiving is a bit of a mix of leaping and stepping—but in both cases, you never really know what's up next."

April 30, 2024 | 2 min read

Taking the leap

By Jennifer Woodard, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin

Caring for those with dementia extends to their caregivers. Often, that means simply being there to offer support.

February 22, 2024 | 1 min read

A journey through time

By Beatriz Rizkallah Alves, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

As a young doctor, I cared for a centenarian. I realized that I’d never fully appreciated the complexity and challenges of aging—I now take extra time to uncover my older patients’ struggles.

November 30, 2023 | 1 min read

STD knows not your DOB

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Sex can be an important part of life in older age. My patient reminded me to address STD prevention and other intimacy concerns consistently in all sexually active adults.

Black piece of paper with word Ageism concept.

November 16, 2023 | 3 min read

How to be anti-ageist

By Timothy Farrell, MD, University of Utah Health

Ageism can impede clinicians from eliciting what matters most to older adults. Practical strategies to oppose such sentiment can be implemented across clinical, research, and policy realms.

"I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills."-Lucy Beneventi

May 24, 2023 | 3 min read

An Email Chain That Made me Smile

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Each year of life has lessons to teach us. The insights in this piece may serve as a reminder to seek out advice from those who are older, and to make time for reflection.

April 12, 2023 | 1 min read

Still Working After All These Years

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When I empathized with my older patient about the hardships of colon cancer, she began sharing many of the good things in her life, like still being able to work.

April 10, 2023 | 1 min read

Sips And Gulps

By Judy Ashley, patient

Patients may need a clinician’s help with things that seem easy or obvious, like how to swallow pills.

March 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Co-Reader

By Randy Barker, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, retired

When we, or someone close to us, have a disease that we see in our patients, it’s an opportunity to more deeply understand the illness experience.

March 15, 2023 | 1 min read

Einstein’s Relativity And Patient Care

By Steve Kravet, MD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Conversations about the passing of time can stimulate meaningful reflections during patient visits.

March 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Cleaning Dentures

By Becky Sansbury, MDiv, Raleigh, North Carolina

When my patient asked me to get the blackberry seeds out of her false teeth, I was reminded that simple comfort measures can be crucial for patient well-being.

February 28, 2023 | 1 min read

Mitigating social isolation

By Mfon Umoh, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

All medical specialties need to screen for isolation. Asking patients who their social supports are and who they feel close to is a good starting point.

February 23, 2023 | 3 min read

Embracing Care Partners

By Ariel Green, MD, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for older adults, collaborate with and support their care partners – their loved ones. Their vital roles are often overlooked.

August 3, 2020 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Elderhood”

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

Ageism is a form of discrimination that contributes to poor health outcomes. To mitigate its effects, we must enact policies that address biases in ourselves, our workplaces, and our communities.

January 4, 2023 | 2 min read

Intergenerational Connections

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can benefit from relationships with those of different ages. Encourage patients to consider joining a community group with people from across generations.

April 15, 2020 | 2 min read

Keeping Older Adults Connected

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Social distancing can increase loneliness, especially among older adults. Finding ways to stay connected through phone and virtual visits can combat social isolation.

March 11, 2020 | 3 min read

Saturdays With Mr. Hargett

By Yolonda Wilson, PhD, 2019-2020 Fellow at the National Humanities Center and 2019-2020 Encore Public Voices Fellow

Loneliness is an epidemic. Being aware of this, asking about it, and empathizing can make a world of difference.

December 13, 2022 | 3 min read

Mindful Movement

By Ken Koon Wong, MD, Cleveland Clinic

Consider encouraging your patients to practice tai chi to reduce feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation.

February 19, 2020 | 1 min read

Seeking Delight

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Taking note of the small "delights" that are around us can make each day more joyful. Doing so can enhance your sense of well-being and gratitude.

July 12, 2022 | 1 min read

When I Doubted my Patient

By Mengyi "Zed" Zha, MD, Othello, Washington

When patients are labeled as “poor historians,” it implies that they’re not to be trusted.

Vibraphone. Copyright Chris Dingman.

December 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Peace—Music to Live

By Chris Dingman, vibraphonist and composer

Music with intention and sensitivity can be a powerful tool for helping the terminally ill—and others—cope with physical and emotional pain in order to find peace. Recommending this form of therapy to patients can be a valuable gift.

July 7, 2022 | 1 min read

Filial Affection

By Corliss Wong, MS4, The University of Hong Kong

We must listen closely to patients with dementia’s thoughts and feelings, even though their sense of reality may be different than our own.

The stunning Mona "Moe" Driggs at the Boston Harbor Hotel, October 2010. Author's family photo.

November 21, 2019 | 2 min read

The Chosen One

By Ryan Chippendale, MD, Boston University School of Medicine

As a geriatrician, it was still difficult to facilitate compasstionate patient-centered end-of-life care for my grandmother. Honoring patients' goals of care can be challenging when we are intimately invested.

July 5, 2022 | 2 min read

Dementia, Decisions, And Developing a Different Love

By Drea Burbank, MD, Putumayo, Colombia

We must be respectful and balanced when presenting medical options to a patient’s caregivers.

November 12, 2019 | 2 min read

The Early Bird Special

By Rebecca Hamburger, Medical Student, Central Michgan University College of Medicine

Timing is everything. Doing our best to optimize access to healthcare is a first step to serving our patients.

April 27, 2022 | 2 min read

Listening to Your Patient’s Grief

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By listening to a patient’s story of loss, we bear witness and affirm their experience.

The author and her husband dancing to live music at their wedding. Photo courtesy of the author.

June 25, 2019 | 3 min read

The Shared Experience

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Part of my history-taking in the future will include a music history to better understand the role music plays in my patient’s day-to-day lives. I am hopeful that this added information about them will strengthen our connection and understanding of one another as humans.

January 26, 2022 | 1 min read

Talking With Older Patients About Winter Hazards

By Shaista Ahmed, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Be sure your geriatric patients are aware of winter hazards and provide guidance on how to avoid the risk of falls and hypothermia.

April 24, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Colleen Christmas, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Watch a three minute video interview with Dr. Colleen Christmas, who shares the contagious joy of both primary care and geriatrics. Guaranteed to make you smile!

December 15, 2021 | 1 min read

The Power of Humor

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My dying patient taught me that laughter can sometimes normalize difficult situations. Finding humor in the problem lightened the mood and allowed us to devise a care plan that preserved her dignity.

February 21, 2019 | 1 min read

Substance Use Disorders in Later Life

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Substance use disorders in older adults often go undiagnosed because screening is frequently overlooked. Key to supporting patients to make a change is developing rapport and trust.

December 7, 2021 | 3 min read

A Window Into a Patient’s World

By Deirdre Johnston, MBBCh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Visiting a patient’s home environment, either virtually or in person, may shed light on the source of their distress.

May 29, 2025 | 2 min read

From code status to core values

Advanced care planning is more than just a conversation about code status. Engaging in a comprehensive discussion about what matters most to the patient should guide preferences for future care.

November 10, 2021 | 5 min read

Reading Between The Lines

We don’t always say what we’re thinking, particularly in difficult conversations. Sharing and exploring unspoken thoughts can lead to stronger connections with our patients and better care.

September 26, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Susan Lehmann: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Enjoy a three-minute video interview with Dr. Susan Lehmann, who shares how playing the piano helped her become adept at listening to patients while maintaining eye contact and writing notes.