The life of individuals with moderate dementia: A Podcast with Krista Harrison

GeriPal - A Geriatrics and Palliative Care Podcast

On this weeks podcast, we talk with Krista Harrison about the life of individuals living with moderate dementia, as well as what we know about their caregivers. Krista is is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF, a social scientist, and something that we learned in this podcast, someone who knows a thing or two about singing opera. Krista recently published a JAGS paper titled "Care Settings and Clinical Characteristics of Older Adults with Moderately Severe Dementia." In this paper, which we discuss in the podcast, she gives us a snapshot of older adults in the United States who have experienced the onset of moderately severe dementia within the past year. We learn that 2/3'rds of these individuals are living in the community. Interestingly, older adults living at home were 2 to 5 times more likely to be members of disadvantaged populations and had more medical needs. In the podcast we discuss some potential reasons why this may be the case, along with what role geriatricians and palliative care doctors can play in the care of these individuals. So take a listen and let us know what you think. Also, take a peek at Joanne Lynn's editorial on Krista's paper, which includes a suggestion to create a default path similar to how obstetrics works. Eric (@ewidera)