Good Medical Care for the Elderly and How to Get It

New restrictions on anti-anemia drugs

An FDA advisory panel has recommended further strengthening warnings for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in cancer treatment, according to news reports.

The panel voted to recommend keeping Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) and Procrit (epoetin alfa) on the market to treat anemia resulting from chemotherapy. But it said they should be given only to patients with incurable cancer and should not be used for those with breast or head and neck cancer. Evidence that the drugs may increase the risks for death and tumor growth led to the new restrictions.

The panel also advised that patients should sign forms indicating that they consent to receive the drugs after being fully informed of the dangers associated with them, according to the New York Times.

The New York Times story may be read here.

Seniors cautioned about reverse mortgages

Some seniors struggle financially while trying to age in place. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently advised senior homeowners to proceed with caution before using reverse mortgages to access their home equity. The group warned that a reverse loan--meaning that a bank makes payments to a homeowner instead of the homeowner making payments to a bank--can be a risky financial move.

Heparin contamination

If you or one of your loved ones takes heparin, a blood-thinner often prescribed for patients with heart conditions, you should be watchful for the following symptoms:

• difficulty breathing
• nausea
• vomiting
• excessive sweating and
• rapidly falling blood pressure

Avoiding an inappropriate psychiatric hospitalization

Recently, a caregiver complained that a hospital would not allow her to elect a transfer to a psychiatric unit for her parent suffering from dementia. The hospital’s position was that the health care power of attorney did not allow the patient advocate to make a psychiatric admission. They said that only the patient could make that choice. The patient was described as being “delusional.” What seemed probable was that this patient was delirious, not psychotic. If that were the case, then a psychiatric admission would potentially be very harmful to the patient.

Avoiding an inappropriate psychiatric hospitalization for an elderly person can be life-saving for that patient.