This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World Podcast with Dr. MELISSA BATCHELOR

Negative beliefs about aging decrease your lifespan  by an average of seven and a half years.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   From childhood on, we are barraged with messages that to grow older is a sad thing – that it means decline, decay, and illness. Society is also full of ageist myths and beliefs that impact our health and well-being.   Join me for today's episode, where I tal...

No matter where you live or who you are, breast cancer  could affect your life.   —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   For nearly 4 decades now, October has been recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. No matter where you live or who you are, breast cancer could affect your life.    Understanding what's normal for you and recognizing the warning signs of breast cancer are the best t...

Being a lifelong learner in pursuit of true health and wellness is part of being age-friendly.    —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   When it comes to managing chronic illness and even preventing it – the key lies in the power of nutrition. The impact of WHAT WE EAT and WHEN WE EAT determines the level of inflammation our bodies are dealing with everyday. Inflammation in the body means...

There is a huge national need for psychiatric service providers to help all ages, from children to older adults.    —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN As a family nurse practitioner, my passion has always been in the field of geropsychology - a specialty that utilizes psychological knowledge and methods to understand and assist older individuals and their families in maintaining well-bei...

There is limited study on any type of walker in clinical trials. Do your own research and make sure you or your loved ones can use it safely.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Are you thinking about getting a walker and not sure what you need to know before buying one?  In looking into walkers in general, I discovered that a limited amount of research has been done on any type of wal...

Do you know the best ways to prevent falls as you age? Want to learn more about how physical therapy (PT) can be a game-changer? This information is important for all of us as we age but are especially important for caregivers and those living with Alzheimer's disease.  Join me on today's episode as we learn about low-cost, low-impact ways to stay strong with two amazing Physical Therapists who wi...

Thank you for listening to this episode on Decoding Distressful Behaviors! Please enjoy this free download and feel free to check out the rest of my website while you are here! https://melissabphd.com/decoding-distressful-behaviors/ As caregivers, notice underlying causes that trigger behavioral changes in persons with Alzheimer's.  —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN It is important to u...

"Caring for a person living with Alzheimer's disease can be very rewarding AND very stressful." —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   11 million Americans are caring for a family member or friend living with Alzheimer's disease and nearly 60% report feeling more emotional or physical stress from being a caregiver.  This stress can take its toll and increase your risk for health problems f...

 "I'm excited to announce NEW changes to my website and NEW ways we can work together."    —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   Change never gets old…but websites do! Check out my new website at MelissaBPhD.com to learn more about the new services I am offering, how to advertise or sponsor an episode, and more!   Since starting this podcast three years ago, 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘐𝘴 𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘭𝘥: 𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘰...

 "Making the home age- and dementia-friendly can make a difference and positively impact a person's independence and overall well-being."   —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FA       Did you know that making simple changes to a home can help people with dementia stay calm and thrive? Just as we childproof our homes, creating a dementia-friendly environment can make a real difference.   Welco...

"Dementia is a medical condition; it's not an identity." —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FA Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to provide honest and clear information about the diagnosis of dementia particularly. About the person's current state and provide anticipatory guidance about what areas of loss and decline can be expected. But a diagnosis like this impacts everyone in...

"Motor scooters really can't make a major difference in the life of an older adult who might not otherwise be able to leave their home without one. This impacts their independence and as I found out, it actually impacts their care partners as well." — Me lissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN Imagine not being able to leave your home and go out with your family and friends due to debilitating b...

"Falling is the number one leading cause of fractures in the United States, and they're the second leading cause of unintentional injury and death globally." — Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN In 2022, in the United States, of the top 5 leading causes of death, 3 are chronic conditions – 1. heart disease, 2. cancer, and 5. respiratory disease – coming in at #3 is COVID - 19, but #4 may...

We often hear the phrase "aging gracefully," but what exactly does that mean?  Many of us assume that our expected aging process is predetermined by genetics and family history, but that's not entirely true. While genetics play a role, our lifestyle choices and environmental factors also heavily impact our aging journey.  The good news is that we have the power to make choices that will benefit us...

Conversations about emergency or end-of-life care can be challenging, even for those confident in their preferences. Accepting our mortality can be difficult, and relying on someone else to make decisions during a crisis can be daunting. Nonetheless, these discussions are critical to ensure you receive appropriate care. As individuals who identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming may need ge...

While information on Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and cognitive impairment in transgender adults is lacking, research shows that they tend to face more health disparities that are known risk factors for dementia, such as depression, hearing loss, sleep disorders, high cholesterol, and alcohol use disorder.  Moreover, the social injustices encountered by transgender adults also correlate to highe...

Evidence shows that music can be a powerful tool for increasing older adults' quality of life and health.  By providing access to music education programs, we can help older adults stay active, engaged, and connected with the world around them.   Get ready to meet the man behind the music masterpieces for the gray generation! We're excited to have Joshua Vickery, CEO of Encore Creativity for Older...

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 52% from 2019 to 2029. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for healthcare services, particularly in primary care and rural settings, where many Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AG-PCNPs) work. Have you ever wondered about the magic behind AG-PCNPs and their amaz...

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) provide care for the sickest of the sick in a variety of clinical care settings.  And in a world where the baby-boom generation is living longer and needing more health care, nurses with expertise in treating older adults in the acute care setting will be in high demand.  So, if you're looking for a career where you can make a real differenc...

Taking control of your lifestyle can profoundly affect your brain health. From diet to exercise and stress management - every choice we make affects our mental well-being. What decisions will you make?     In this episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World, we're graced by the spectacular Dr Mary T. Newport, armed with the lowdown on ketones, diet, and lifestyle to keep y...

Taking proactive steps towards leading this kind of life could help reduce one's risk for developing dementia in their later years. Join us for an enlightening episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards An Age-Friendly World, where renowned medical expert Dr. Mary T. Newport will share her wisdom on how you can keep your brain young and active!  With tips ranging from diet changes to lifestyle...

Ketones are naturally produced in the body and play an important role in brain health. When the body doesn't have enough carbohydrates to use for energy, it begins to break down stored fat cells into ketones which can be used as a source of fuel instead.  A diet that is high in fats and low in carbohydrates is referred to as a ketogenic diet and is associated with improved cognitive functioning an...

People over the age of 50 are not just taking care of themselves. They're taking care of their families. They're taking care of their communities. They want to be engaged. They want to give back. So there's a ripple effect in there which cuts across all generations.  Businesses need to have a longevity plan; if you're not thinking about the changing nature of your consumer base, the changing natur...

As the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals, people aged 60 and over will make a massive impact in just 35 years - from only 12% to 22%.  With so many countries having to face up to this colossal shift in their health services' longevity planning, they are turning tech-savvy. From AI robots that can interact more like humans than ever before, populations globally may find themselves facing far...

Heart failure affects 86 million Americans and by the time many people living  with heart failure realize they're in trouble, it's often too late— their symptoms are at a dangerous severe level for hospitalization. But thankfully, nurses are working with engineers to develop the technology to change this narrative; providing tools that enable those affected or their loved ones to recognize red fla...