2 Comments

Great article. It's important for aging people to know that treatment comes with its own risks and side effects and should be considered carefully. It seems like your research also suggests more study is needed for the best ways to use medications and hospital stays with elderly people.

Expand full comment

I wish we had known. The dementia was there, one source say it can begin as much as 15 years before symptoms actually appear. But maybe we could have slowed the process had there been more awareness.

Which makes me wonder, how much medication, anesthesia, and hospital stays play a role in the disorder. I have heard several anecdotal stories about memory problems after surgery. In fact, remember my friend, Emily? She had surgery and was in the hospital for a period of time. She never seemed the same afterwards - it was like she lost some of her sharpness and zest for living.

Expand full comment