OPINION
DOCTORS Lounge
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Sometimes the patient has trouble finding the page . There are apps for that . The American Geriatrics Society has reviewed several of them , to add measurement to figuring out if someone is capable of independent decision-making or truly cannot remember the facts and figures necessary to do so . The “ ESLUMS ” app has a digital voice that leads you through the 24-question mental status exam developed at St . Louis University . However , this takes so long that someone else in your office , if it is primary care , will have to give the test , and eventually you ’ ll want to upgrade to the Pro version , which costs five dollars . Another app , the American Geriatrics Society ’ s GEMS , requires a $ 10 annual fee , and contains a lot of references and advice about
avoiding polypharmacy and recognizing the best treatments for people with many things wrong with them at once . I decided that Googling for free is better , if you are at all acquainted with the issues . The Alzheimer ’ s Association has multiple downloadable and printable cognitive assessment tools . A very useful one is the AD8 , which has the family or loved one answer eight questions about the patient ’ s day-to-day functioning .
That leaves the question of what to call us . “ Senior ” seems to be socially acceptable but dull . “ Old ” could just be an appliance , and I rather think a more respectful term would be better . Someone has suggested “ Perennials ” as a name for us . Even if I thought of myself as an English Laurel , I can ’ t think this would make someone take me seriously at 90 . “ Elderly ” can imply frailty . “ Seasoned ” has been suggested , which just makes me laugh .
Therefore , I stick with Elder . That has the sense of wise and experienced , as in the elders of the tribe . It has a sense of personage , as opposed to a Maytag . It has presence . It does not for instance imply knitting , but rather thinking .
I hope my fellow elders will welcome me to the council .
Dr . Barry practices Internal Medicine with Norton Community Medical Associates-Barret . She is a clinical associate professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine , Department of Medicine .
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28 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE