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Sarcopenic Obesity Associated with Increased Risk of Impaired Cognitive Function in Older Adults

John Batsis, MD The prevalence of obesity with sarcopenia is increasing in adults aged 65 years, and this geriatric syndrome places individuals at risk for synergistic complications. John A. Batsis, MD, associate professor in the division of geriatric medicine, led a study to investigate whether sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity are associated with greater long-term risk of impair … Read more

Nearly All Seniors Take Meds That Raise Their Odds of Falling

Josh Niznik, PharmD, PhD Among older Americans, deaths from falls are up sharply, dovetailing with a surge in use of medications that increase the risk of falling, researchers say. Two decades ago, about 57% of U.S. seniors took medications that increased their risk of falls. By 2017, that number had risen to 94%, and deaths caused by falls had more than doubled, a new study foun … Read more

Experts Recommend Shared Decision-Making Prior to Lung Cancer Screening

Dan Reuland, MD, MPH In a viewpoint perspective published in JAMA on March 9, 2021, a University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher and two other experts endorsed the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) requirement for a patient and their doctor to engage in a shared discussion of benefits and harms before proceeding with a low-dose … Read more

Busby-Whitehead Talked With the Wall Street Journal About Older People Participating in Activities After the COVID-19 Vaccine

Jan Busby-Whitehead, MD A Wall Street Journal report about the first Americans to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, older people, recognizes how many are still struggling to know what activities are safe. Jan Busby-Whitehead, MD, interviewed for the report, said she and colleagues continue to urge caution because most of the US population isn’t vaccinated. There are also new, … Read more

´óÏó´«Ã½ Geriatricians Help Skilled Nursing Facilities Fight COVID-19 With Collaborative Problem Solving and Mentoring

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, 40% of all deaths have been residents of nursing homes. Although the vaccine roll-out is now well underway, long-term care facilities continue to be high risk environments disproportionately affected by the virus. To help administrators and nursing leadership fight the spread of COVID-19, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Center for Aging and Health is training and suppo … Read more

Warshaw Interviewed By Eldercare Voices: Covid Edition

Gregg Warshaw, MD Gregg Warshaw, MD, professor of medicine in the department of medicine’s geriatric division and the department of family medicine, was interviewed by Eldercare Voices, a blog published by the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation. In the article, Warshaw recognizes how the pandemic has affected seniors and what he’s learning now that signals the di … Read more

Niznik Featured in AMDA On-the-Go Podcast Discussing Long-Term Care and Medication Controversies

Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD Joshua Niznik, PharmD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine in the division of geriatric medicine and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, was a guest commentator on a podcast for the American Medical Directors Association, AMDA On-the-Go. The podcast regularly features commentary from ´óÏó´«Ã½ faculty Philip Sloa … Read more

Fellows Match to the Department of Medicine

While the pandemic made this year particularly challenging for fellowship recruitment efforts and interviews, a series of videos showing each program’s strengths was a creative solution, introducing viewers to faculty and current fellows, with a brief glimpse into what it might be like to join the program. And although it was impossible to replicate the experience of visiting in- … Read more

Health Experts Warn of Tough Holiday Season For Seniors

Christine Kistler, MD Health experts are warning that the holiday season poses an increased COVID-19 threat to older Americans, who are already one of the most vulnerable demographics. Christine Kistler, MD, associate professor of geriatric and family medicine, identified large gatherings as a key risk factor in the upcoming holiday season that will contribute to an increase in c … Read more

Batsis Publishes Three Articles For Geriatric Medicine

John Batsis, MD John Batsis, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of geriatric medicine, has published the following papers: “Intensive nutrition counseling as part of a multi-component weight loss intervention improves diet quality and anthropometrics in older adults with obesity,” in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. “Telemedicine in Long-Term Care Facilities During and … Read more

Christine Kistler, MD, associate professor of geriatric medicine, discourages indoor holiday gatherings and offers advice for staying safe in the Consumer Reports article “Keep Calm and Come Together.”

Maureen Dale, MD, told WRAL News that it’s even more important during a pandemic that seniors get a flu shot. “Even though we don’t have a COVID-19 vaccine yet, there are other respiratory viruses, particularly the flu, that we can protect ourselves from,” Dale said, recognizing a special flu vaccination designed to help seniors overcome immune deficiencies.