Unlocking the Secrets to Longevity and Wellness: Dr. Mohsin Jaffer's Pearls of Health and Happiness

In this episode of PX Space, Linda Robinson interviews Dr. Mohsin Jaffer, a renowned family physician specializing in geriatric care. Dr. Jaffer has an impressive background, including founding Stallion Medical Management and holding esteemed positions as a clinical assistant professor at prestigious institutions like the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, and Florida International University. His career also includes chairing the North Shore Physician Hospital Organization, serving as board of trustees secretary, contributing to the establishment of the Neighborhood Health Plan, and holding the esteemed position of chief of family medicine at Memorial Hospital West for multiple terms.

 Currently, Dr. Jaffer serves as the President and CEO of Senior Medical Associates, an esteemed leader in senior healthcare co-founded by Dr. Mohsin Jaffer and Mrs. Fauzia Jaffer. Senior Medical Associates is dedicated to providing personalized primary care to seniors at 12 locations across Broward County, FL. These full-service medical centers warmly welcome individuals aged 65 and older, offering access to a dedicated team of experienced doctors, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants who provide complimentary consultations.

Beyond his outstanding medical career, Dr. Jaffer is also a co-founder of the Mohsin and Fauzia Jaffer Foundation, a steadfast supporter of projects aimed at enhancing access to education, healthcare, clean water, and career development for the past 25 years. Dr. Jaffer's unwavering commitment to these causes underscores his dedication to creating a positive impact within his community and beyond.

With nearly three decades of expertise in geriatric care in South Florida, Dr. Jaffer shares profound insights into achieving optimal health and longevity while radiating vitality and vigor.

Join us as Dr. Jaffer explores his captivating "Pearls of Longevity with Good Health and Happiness." As one of the most dynamic and engaging speakers on senior health, Dr. Jaffer combines humor, friendly advice, and candid wisdom to inspire listeners on a path to a healthier and happier life.

In this episode, Dr. Jaffer delves into critical topics, including aging, health, and wellness. He firmly believes in the partnership between individuals and their physicians in the pursuit of lifelong well-being, emphasizing the shift from sickness care to proactive self-care. Dr. Jaffer underscores the importance of preventive care, highlighting essential screenings like colonoscopies and mammograms to detect health issues at their earliest stages.

Another important theme explored in this episode is the intricate dynamics of aging, productivity, and family roles. Dr. Jaffer emphasizes the significance of social interaction for mental health and overall well-being, addressing the growing concern of loneliness in society with passion and insight.

At the core of our discussion is Dr. Jaffer's advocacy for empowering individuals to take control of their health through lifestyle changes, rather than relying solely on medication. We delve into modern lifestyle diseases, such as high cholesterol and gastric issues, often linked to unhealthy diets and imbalanced gut bacteria.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Jaffer provides practical insights on adopting a healthier lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of exercise and the need to limit sugar intake to maintain robust health.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation with Dr. Mohsin Jaffer, where we unlock the keys to longevity, wellness, and the profound impact of self-care and preventive measures on leading a long and vibrant life.

Transcript

Linda Robinson: Welcome everyone, to another episode of px space. I'm Linda Robinson, your host and today I have with me a very special guest, Dr. Mohsin Jaffer. He is a distinguished family physician with a primary focus on geriatrics in Broward County, Florida. He was the visionary founder of Stallion Medical Management and holds notable positions as a voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, and Florida International University. Dr. Jaffer's impressive career includes serving as the chairman of the North Shore Physician Hospital Organization and secretary of the board of trustees. He played a pivotal role in the inception of Neighborhood Health Plan and held a seat on the company's board of directors. Furthermore, he held the esteemed position of Chief of Family Medicine at Memorial Hospital West for multiple terms. Presently, Dr. Jaffer is at the helm as the president and CEO of Senior Medical Associates, a renowned leader in Senior Health Care co-founded by Dr. Mohsin Jaffer himself and Miss Fazia Jaffer. Senior Medical Associates is committed to delivering personalized primary care to seniors at 12 locations throughout Broward County, Florida. Each of these full-service medical centers warmly welcomes seniors aged 65 and older to engage with a dedicated team of experienced doctors, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants offering complimentary consultations. Beyond his medical endeavors, Dr. Jaffer is also the co-founder of the Motion and Fazia Jaffer Foundation. For the past 25 years, this foundation has been a stalwart supporter of projects aimed at improving access to education, health care, clean water, and career development. Dr. Jaffer's dedication to these causes dates back to the foundation's establishment in 2001, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in his community and beyond. Welcome, Dr. Jaffer. It is just wonderful to have you with us today.

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Certainly a pleasure. And we appreciate what you do for the seniors. That is a very important cause.

Linda Robinson: It truly is. Having elderly parents myself, my siblings and I have been helping them navigate their senior life up to this point, and now it's put us in a more formal caregiver role. And it is difficult, it's complex, but it is beyond rewarding, personally. And, you know, I hope to instill that into my children that they see us taking care of my parents or my husband's parents. And, you know, they see the importance of it. Cool. So to start with a little bit, just to show how important it is what you do. I want to read a little bit from The Washington Post. They came out with a report in February of 2023 that says that more than one in six Americans are now 65 and older. And they say as the US continues to become more gray, you know, we are growing. So what's beautiful, some 17% of people living in the United States, or more than one in six, were 65 or older in 2020, according to a report from the Administration on Aging. The report projects a climb to roughly 80.8 million residents 65 and older by 2040, more than double the number in 2000. It also predicts a doubling of the number of even older residents by 2040, with a count of those 85 and older expected to grow from 6.7 million in 2020 to 14.4 million by 2040. So in 2020, there were nearly 105,000 residents 100 years and older. So as our population ages, it leads to an increased demand for caregiving, and that's where you and your life's work come into play.

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: True, and it goes beyond that because after your early 20s, we're all aging, and the process of aging is inevitable and relentless. But we can slow it down, and we can age gracefully. So as long as you are given life, we don't know how long we'll live, but we have a potential of 120 years. So you could be lucky to get that. But do you want to be in a nursing home, sick, and miserable, or be vibrant and on your own volition, and to die with your boots on? So this has been my mantra to all our patients and all our physicians, to tell the patient, look, you are the boss of your destiny. We, as physicians, are your helpers, your guides, but you are the boss, you are like the captain of a ship, and you own the ship. Okay, but you need a navigator. So that is your navigator. But the bonus of running this beautiful body, because not a day goes by when I'm not in awe of how beautifully we are created, how well organized, how complex and efficient our bodies are, and also the powers which we possess for self-healing. In America, we went towards sickness care, where we just trained doctors, hospitals, specialists, all of us make a living by treating you. But there is no income when a patient is just given advice on how to take care of themselves. So that has been missing, that wellness care. So the pendulum is swinging, I'm very optimistic about that. The pendulum is swinging towards wellness care. How do we keep our fellow Americans well and healthy well into their senior years? Because just look at it, in 100 years, we have doubled the life expectancy. 100 years ago, you lived to be 40. Today, it's a little two years less. We can do better. They're stronger than us. So women are the stronger sex, I truly believe that. But it's because of modern medicine, you know, vaccines, antibiotics. Before, you just got a cold, you got bronchitis, you got pneumonia, you died. Right now, antibiotics stop that. So we have the ability to live long, healthy lives. If you are granted how long you'll live, we don't know, right? The higher authority knows, okay. And it's merciful. So life is a precious gift. And as long as you've got life, you want to be living that life with vim, vigor, and vitality, not to be so crippled that you're hoping for death because your life has lost meaning. And this has been our aim as people who take care of senior patients, how do we make them more mobile? How do we make them self-sufficient? How do we get them the social interaction? Because the greatest tragedy in our country today is loneliness, across the spectrum, from young to the old, it's loneliness. And because of social media, we are even becoming less and less of human-to-human connection. We don't meet each other enough. We don't talk to each other enough. Even the average for a husband and wife in America of face-to-face, real deep conversation is only five minutes in 24 hours in a day. What a tragedy. But we see the mental health decline is also quite significant. That's why you see the rise in suicides and depression. And we are a country that uses the most amount of antidepressants and psychotropic drugs. So what our mission has been is to empower every person, no matter what age group they're in, because we are heading towards that retirement, is

 not to make it miserable, but to make it fun. And how do we do that? We give the power back to the individual, that look, you don't have to accept the narrative that you're going to go downhill and that you're going to have dementia, and that you're going to have this. Because if you believe in the negative narrative, your subconscious mind creates it for you. So it's a very important message for all our listeners and for everyone to understand that as you think, so it shall be. It's such a powerful thing that we have within us. So if you think negative, that's what's going to happen to you.

Linda Robinson: Yeah, it's that mind-body connection.

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Yes, absolutely.

Linda Robinson: If you're constantly thinking negatively, it's going to affect your health, your physical health as well as your mental health.

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Absolutely, absolutely.

Linda Robinson: So you started in internal medicine, and now you specialize in geriatrics. So what made you decide to specialize in geriatrics?

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Well, it's a fascinating question because my grandfather was a physician. He was in the British Indian Army, and he had a big practice in Nairobi, Kenya, and I was very close to him. In fact, when I was 10 years old, I spent my summer vacation with him, and he would take me to his clinic, and I used to play with the stethoscope. And that's when I first saw that my granddad was like a king. You know, in those days, doctors were like kings. They were revered. They were respected. They had high social status. So I said, "I want to be like my granddad," and that's when I decided to become a doctor. But I never knew what kind of doctor I would be, and I wanted to come to America for my training. So I got here and I applied for internal medicine. I wanted to be an internist. I'm thinking, "I'm going to be a physician, an internist. I'm going to go into private practice." So I applied for all the positions, and one day I got a letter from Memorial Hospital West. It said, "Congratulations, Dr. Jaffer, you've been accepted." And I thought, "Oh, okay, I'll go." So when I got there, I realized that it's a lot of sick people, you know. And my first rotation was in the ICU, and it was really like a different world. And I had not seen the sickness of the kind that I saw there. And I remember after a month of that, I said, "I don't know if I can do this." But I couldn't leave. So I continued. Then I went into the wards, and I had a lady there who was 85 years old. And she was like my mother's age. And she used to make these beautiful Afghans, like the blanket, those woolen things. So I used to go sit in her room. I said, "Mama, teach me." She said, "Okay, I'll teach you." And I used to sit there. And we made such a connection. And I realized that, you know, the younger patients, they are so sick that they are not very communicative. They are just there for a short period, and they move on. And the older patients were always there. And when I saw the 90-year-olds who were feisty, who were combative, who said, "Don't you dare touch me," I realized that these people are not going to go down without a fight. And then I started reading up about aging and I realized that, wow, this is an area where there is a lot of promise, where we could make a difference, because most of what we call aging is actually due to poor lifestyle. We're not aging because we're supposed to age, but we're aging because of the wrong way of living, okay? And I'll give you a little story. This is in a book by a man called Dr. Edith Lord. She's a PhD, and she's the director of the Alzheimer's Disease Center at the University of South Florida. She wrote a book called "Aging, Reproduction, and the Climacteric." And she tells a story of a guy who's living in Florida, you know, the paradise, and he lives with his wife and his dog. And one day his wife dies, and he's very sad. And he doesn't want to be living in that house anymore. So he moves into a very luxurious retirement community in Florida. Okay, beautiful community. Has everything: tennis, golf, you name it, it's there. So he moves into that, and within six months, he's dead. He's gone. The dog has died, everything is gone. So Dr. Lord says, "What happened to this guy?" So she goes back and looks at the guy, and what she finds is this: This guy, when he was living with his wife, every morning he used to go for a run on the beach, okay? And he used to get all that beautiful sunrise, all the vitamins from the sun, the negative ions from the beach, all that. He would then come back and he'd be very happy, and he would hug his wife and say, "Oh, what a beautiful run." And then they would talk about their plans for the day. He would then go to work. He was a financial planner. And he would be meeting people, strategizing. He would come back, the dog would wag his tail, and he would go for another run in the evening. So this was his routine. And this is why he was happy, okay? This is why he was not aging. Then he moves into this community, okay, and his wife is gone. So he says, "I don't need to run on the beach. I'll run on the treadmill." So he runs on the treadmill. He's running on the treadmill, nobody's there, nobody's to hug. The wife's not there. And he comes back, the dog is gone. He sits, he's feeling miserable. He's not meeting anybody, nobody's coming to visit him. He's feeling lonely, and this stress is killing him. And within six months, he's dead. So what Dr. Lord says is that this guy lost everything, and he lost his purpose in life. His routine, his rituals, everything changed. So he had a negative narrative that, "Oh, I'm here alone, I'm lonely, and I'm sad." So his subconscious mind created that for him. And that is the story of America today, because when you look at what's happening to our elderly people, a lot of them are living alone. A lot of them don't have purpose. So my philosophy has been that look, you have to have purpose. You have to have a reason to live. You have to have the desire to be with your family, to enjoy life, to enjoy all the beautiful things in life, and that's what keeps you young. So when I saw that this is the kind of patient population that I'd like to work with because they need the most, they are neglected, and the world, the insurance companies, everybody gives them

 up. And I thought that this is where I can make a difference. So I started working with the elderly, and I fell in love with them. I mean, I can tell you some incredible stories of people who are 95 and they're doing amazing things. So this is how I got into geriatrics, and I've never looked back. I've been in geriatrics now for over 20 years.

Linda Robinson: That's a wonderful story, and it really highlights the importance of purpose, routine, and connection in our lives, especially as we age. So I want to talk a bit about Alzheimer's disease because you mentioned it earlier, and it's a topic that affects many families around the world. Can you provide some insights into Alzheimer's disease, what it is, and what are some of the early signs or symptoms that people should be aware of?

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Absolutely, I would love to. Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease, which means it's a disease that affects the brain. And it is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. It's named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who was a German neurologist, and he described the disease in 1906. So it's been around for over 100 years. Now, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is not a disease, but it's a syndrome. It's a collection of symptoms. So when somebody starts having memory problems, problems with thinking, problems with reasoning, problems with judgment, problems with the ability to do the daily routine activities of life, when these problems get to the extent that they are interfering with their daily life, then we call it dementia. And Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's is a disease that starts very slowly. So the symptoms start very subtly, and most of the time, the family members are the first ones to notice it because the patient themselves may not realize that there's something wrong. So they start noticing that, you know, mom is forgetting where she kept her keys, she's forgetting where she kept her glasses, she's repeating herself, she's asking the same questions again and again. So this is how it starts. Then as it progresses, it gets worse. So the memory problems become more significant, the thinking problems become more significant, and then it starts to interfere with their ability to do the daily routine activities of life. They may not be able to dress themselves properly, they may not be able to bathe themselves properly, they may not be able to prepare a meal or use the microwave, or they may not be able to follow a recipe, okay? So these are the things that are involved. So Alzheimer's disease is a very, very common condition, and it's a very scary condition. It's a condition that most people dread because it robs you of your memory. It robs you of your personality, and it robs you of your ability to do things. So it's a very, very, very difficult condition. Now, I'll tell you some interesting statistics. There are currently over 6 million people in the United States who are living with Alzheimer's disease, okay? That is a huge number. And this is expected to triple by the year 2050. So it's a big problem. Worldwide, there are over 50 million people who are living with Alzheimer's disease. It's a huge problem. Now, the cost of Alzheimer's disease in the United States is over $300 billion a year. It's a huge cost. This is mainly because when people get Alzheimer's disease, they require a lot of care. And most of the care is given by the family members. So when you're taking care of a person with Alzheimer's disease, it's a 24/7 job. You have to be with them all the time because they get into trouble. They forget things. They may forget to turn off the stove. They may forget to lock the door. They may forget to take their medications. So it's a very, very demanding disease on the family members. So this is one of the reasons why it's so expensive. In addition to that, there are many other expenses. So there are medical expenses, there are hospitalizations, there are nursing home stays, there are medications, there are many other things. So it's a very, very costly disease, and it's a very difficult disease. Now, when we look at the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, age is the biggest risk factor. The older you are, the more likely you are to get Alzheimer's disease. So for example, at the age of 65, your risk of Alzheimer's disease is one in nine. So if you look around, nine people, one of them is likely to get Alzheimer's disease. By the age of 85, your risk goes up to one in three. So one in three people will get Alzheimer's disease. So it's a very common condition. Genetics play a role. So if you have a family history of Alzheimer's disease, if you have a parent or a sibling who has Alzheimer's disease, your risk goes up. Now, there are two types of Alzheimer's disease. There's early-onset Alzheimer's disease and there's late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Early-onset Alzheimer's disease is when it starts before the age of 65. So it's very rare. It's less than 5% of the population. Late-onset Alzheimer's disease is when it starts after the age of 65. That's the more common form. So that's the one that most people get. But early-onset Alzheimer's disease is more likely to be genetic, whereas late-onset Alzheimer's disease is more likely to be due to lifestyle. So when we look at the lifestyle risk factors, the biggest lifestyle risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is cardiovascular disease. So if you have high blood pressure, if you have diabetes, if you have high cholesterol, if you have heart disease, if you smoke, if you don't exercise, if you have an unhealthy diet, all of these things increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease. So what we are finding is that what's good for the heart is also good for the brain. And what's bad for the heart is bad for the brain. So it's very, very important that we take care of our heart health. The other risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include things like head trauma, head injuries. So if you've had a head injury, your risk goes up. If you've had depression, your risk goes up. If you've had anxiety, your risk goes up. If you've had sleep problems, your risk goes up. So all of these things increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease. Now, there's also some emerging evidence that things like diet can play a role. So for example, we know that the Mediterranean diet, which is a diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil, that diet is protective against Alzheimer's disease. So people who eat that diet have a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. On the other hand, the Western diet, which is a diet that's high in red meat, high in processed food, high in sugar, high in saturated fats, that diet is associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease. So diet plays a role. We also know that things like social isolation play a role

. So people who are socially isolated, people who are lonely, they have a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease. So it's a multifactorial disease, and there are many, many different factors that can contribute to it. Now, in terms of the diagnosis, there's no single test that can diagnose Alzheimer's disease. It's a clinical diagnosis, which means it's based on the history and the physical exam. And there are certain criteria that we use. There are certain criteria that have been developed, and we use those criteria to make the diagnosis. So for example, we look at the history, we look at the physical exam, we look at the cognitive testing, we look at the laboratory tests, we look at the imaging tests, like the MRI, the CT scan, the PET scan. All of these things are used to make the diagnosis. Now, the cognitive testing is very important because Alzheimer's disease affects memory, but it also affects other cognitive functions like language, like visuospatial skills, like executive function. So when we do the cognitive testing, we're looking at all of these different areas. And there are different tests that can be used. There are screening tests, there are more detailed tests, and then there are specialized tests. So for example, the Mini-Mental State Examination or the MMSE is a commonly used screening test. And it looks at things like orientation, memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills. And it gives you a score out of 30. So if you score 30 out of 30, that's normal. If you score less than 24, that's abnormal. And if you score between 24 and 30, that's borderline. So it gives you a rough idea of where the person is. But it's not very sensitive. It's not very specific. So it's not a definitive test. It's just a screening test. There are more detailed tests that can be used. So for example, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment or the MOCA is a more detailed test. And it looks at things like visuospatial skills, it looks at executive function, it looks at language. So it gives you a more detailed picture of where the person is. There are specialized tests that can be used. So for example, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale or the ADAS-cog is a specialized test. And it's used in research. It's not used in clinical practice, but it's used in research to measure the severity of the disease and to measure the progression of the disease. So there are different tests that can be used. Now, in terms of the treatment, there's no cure for Alzheimer's disease. There's no treatment that can stop or reverse the disease. But there are treatments that can help with the symptoms. So for example, there are medications like Aricept, like Exelon, like Razadyne, like Namenda, like Memantine. These medications can help with the symptoms. They can help to slow down the progression of the disease. They can help to improve the cognitive function. They can help to improve the ability to do the daily routine activities of life. So they're not a cure, but they can help with the symptoms. Now, in addition to the medications, there are also non-pharmacological treatments that can be used. So for example, there's cognitive rehabilitation. There's cognitive training. There's cognitive stimulation. There's cognitive behavioral therapy. There's occupational therapy. There's physical therapy. There's speech therapy. There's music therapy. There's art therapy. There's reminiscence therapy. There's life story work. There's validation therapy. There's many, many different therapies that can be used. And these therapies can be very, very helpful in improving the quality of life and improving the function of the patient. So there's a lot that can be done. And the earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome. So it's very, very important that if somebody has any concerns about their memory, about their cognitive function, that they see a doctor as soon as possible because the earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome. Now, in terms of prevention, there's a lot that can be done. So as I mentioned, lifestyle plays a big role. So if you have high blood pressure, if you have diabetes, if you have high cholesterol, if you have heart disease, if you smoke, if you don't exercise, if you have an unhealthy diet, all of these things increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease. So it's very, very important that you take care of your heart health. So you need to control your blood pressure, you need to control your diabetes, you need to control your cholesterol, you need to quit smoking, you need to exercise regularly, you need to eat a healthy diet. All of these things are very, very important. In addition to that, you also need to take care of your brain health. So there are things that you can do to protect your brain. So for example, you need to keep your brain active. So you need to do things like reading, like writing, like doing puzzles, like playing games, like doing brain exercises. All of these things are very, very important. You also need to keep your brain socially engaged. So you need to have social interaction. You need to have social connections. You need to be part of a community. All of these things are very, very important. You also need to keep your brain physically active. So you need to exercise regularly. You need to do aerobic exercise, you need to do strength training, you need to do flexibility training, you need to do balance training. All of these things are very, very important. You also need to get enough sleep. So sleep is very, very important for brain health. So you need to get enough sleep, you need to get good quality sleep. You also need to manage your stress. So stress is very, very bad for the brain. So you need to manage your stress. You need to do relaxation exercises, you need to do mindfulness meditation, you need to do yoga, you need to do tai chi, all of these things are very, very important. You also need to protect your brain from head injury. So head injury is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. So you need to protect your brain from head injury. So if you're doing sports, if you're riding a bike, if you're driving a car, if you're doing any activity where there's a risk of head injury, you need to wear a helmet. You need to protect your brain. You also need to protect your brain from toxins. So there are certain toxins that can damage the brain. So for example, alcohol can damage the brain. So you need to drink alcohol in moderation. You also need to protect your brain from certain medications. So there are certain medications that can damage the brain. So you need to talk to your doctor about the medications that you're taking. You need to make sure that the medications that you're taking are not damaging your brain. So there's a lot that can be done in terms of prevention. And the earlier you start, the better. So it's very, very important that you take care of your brain health.

Linda Robinson: Those are some excellent tips for prevention and early intervention. Thank you for sharing those. Now, you mentioned that there's no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments and interventions that can help manage the

 symptoms and improve the quality of life. Could you elaborate a bit more on what these treatments and interventions entail, and how they can benefit individuals with Alzheimer's disease?

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Absolutely, I'd be happy to. So as I mentioned earlier, there's no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments that can help with the symptoms. And these treatments fall into two categories: pharmacological treatments and non-pharmacological treatments.

Pharmacological treatments are medications that have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. And these medications work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are involved in memory and cognition. So for example, one of the medications is called Donepezil, which is sold under the brand name Aricept. And it works by increasing the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that's involved in memory and cognition. So by increasing the levels of acetylcholine, it helps to improve memory and cognition. And studies have shown that Aricept can help to improve the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease. It can help to slow down the progression of the disease. It can help to improve the ability to do the daily routine activities of life. And it can also help to improve the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, like agitation, like aggression, like anxiety, like depression. So it's a medication that can be very, very helpful. There are other medications that work in a similar way. So for example, Rivastigmine, which is sold under the brand name Exelon, and Galantamine, which is sold under the brand name Razadyne, they also work by increasing the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. So they work in a similar way. There's another medication called Memantine, which is sold under the brand name Namenda. And it works by increasing the levels of another neurotransmitter called glutamate in the brain. So glutamate is a neurotransmitter that's involved in learning and memory. And by increasing the levels of glutamate, Memantine can help to improve the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease. It can help to slow down the progression of the disease. It can help to improve the ability to do the daily routine activities of life. And it can also help to improve the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. So these are some of the medications that are available. Now, it's important to note that these medications are not a cure. They don't stop or reverse the disease. They're not effective for everybody. And the benefits are modest. So they help to improve the symptoms, but they don't cure the disease. And they don't work for everybody. And they're not a substitute for non-pharmacological treatments. So it's very, very important that in addition to the medications, we also use non-pharmacological treatments. And these treatments are equally, if not more important, because they help to improve the quality of life, they help to improve the function, and they help to improve the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. So what are these non-pharmacological treatments? There are many different non-pharmacological treatments that can be used. So for example, there's cognitive rehabilitation. Cognitive rehabilitation is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to improve their cognitive function. And it includes things like cognitive training, cognitive stimulation, and cognitive behavioral therapy. And studies have shown that cognitive rehabilitation can help to improve the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease. It can help to improve the memory, it can help to improve the attention, it can help to improve the language, it can help to improve the visuospatial skills, it can help to improve the executive function. So it's a very, very powerful treatment. And it's based on the principle of neuroplasticity. So what is neuroplasticity? Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to rewire itself. So the brain is not fixed. The brain is dynamic. The brain is constantly changing. And the brain has the ability to rewire itself. So if one part of the brain is damaged, another part of the brain can take over. And this is the basis of cognitive rehabilitation. So what we do in cognitive rehabilitation is we stimulate the brain, we challenge the brain, we force the brain to rewire itself. And this is what helps to improve the cognitive function. And studies have shown that cognitive rehabilitation can be very, very effective. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to improve their ability to do the daily routine activities of life. So it includes things like dressing, like bathing, like grooming, like toileting, like transferring, like mobility, like eating, like cooking, like shopping, like medication management, like money management, like transportation, like leisure activities, like social activities, like volunteering, like work, like education. So it's a very, very comprehensive program. And it's based on the principle of adaptation. So what is adaptation? Adaptation is the ability to modify the environment or the task or the person to enable the person to function as independently as possible. And this is the basis of occupational therapy. So what we do in occupational therapy is we modify the environment, we modify the task, we modify the person to enable the person to function as independently as possible. And this is what helps to improve the ability to do the daily routine activities of life. And studies have shown that occupational therapy can be very, very effective. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like physical therapy. Physical therapy is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to improve their physical function. So it includes things like aerobic exercise, like strength training, like flexibility training, like balance training. And studies have shown that physical therapy can help to improve the physical function of patients with Alzheimer's disease. It can help to improve the mobility, it can help to improve the endurance, it can help to improve the strength, it can help to improve the flexibility, it can help to improve the balance, it can help to improve the posture, it can help to improve the gait. So it's a very, very powerful treatment. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like speech therapy. Speech therapy is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to improve their communication skills. So it includes things like speech therapy, like language therapy, like swallowing therapy. And studies have shown that speech therapy can help to improve the communication skills of patients with Alzheimer's disease. It can help to improve the language, it can help to improve the articulation, it can help to improve the fluency, it can help to improve the voice, it can help to improve the comprehension, it can help to improve the expression. So it's a very, very powerful treatment. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like music therapy. Music therapy is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to improve their emotional and psychological well-being. So it includes things like listening to music, like singing, like dancing, like playing musical instruments, like songwriting, like lyric analysis, like movement to music. And studies have shown that music therapy can be very, very effective. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like art therapy. Art therapy is a structured program that's designed to

 help patients with Alzheimer's disease to improve their creativity, their self-expression, their self-esteem, their self-identity. So it includes things like painting, like drawing, like sculpting, like pottery, like printmaking, like photography, like collage, like weaving, like jewelry making. And studies have shown that art therapy can be very, very effective. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like reminiscence therapy. Reminiscence therapy is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to reminisce about their past, to recall their memories, to relive their experiences, to reflect on their life, to reevaluate their values, their beliefs, their attitudes, their behaviors. So it includes things like conversation, like storytelling, like reminiscence books, like reminiscence videos, like reminiscence apps, like reminiscence journals. And studies have shown that reminiscence therapy can be very, very effective. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like life story work. Life story work is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to create a narrative of their life, to organize their memories, to share their stories, to pass on their legacy. So it includes things like oral history, like life story books, like life story videos, like life story albums. And studies have shown that life story work can be very, very effective. There are other non-pharmacological treatments like validation therapy. Validation therapy is a structured program that's designed to help patients with Alzheimer's disease to validate their feelings, their emotions, their thoughts, their behaviors. So it includes things like empathy, like active listening, like validation statements, like validation questions, like validation techniques. And studies have shown that validation therapy can be very, very effective. So these are some of the non-pharmacological treatments that are available, and there are many, many more. And these treatments can be very, very effective in improving the quality of life, in improving the function, and in improving the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. So it's very, very important that we use these treatments, and that we use them in combination with the medications, because the medications alone are not enough. So it's very, very important that we use the medications, and that we use them in combination with the non-pharmacological treatments. And that we tailor the treatments to the individual needs and preferences of the patient, because every patient is different, and every patient is unique. So it's very, very important that we tailor the treatments to the individual needs and preferences of the patient.

Linda Robinson: Thank you for explaining the various treatments and interventions available for Alzheimer's disease. It's clear that a multi-faceted approach that combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, tailored to the individual, is important in improving the quality of life for those affected. Now, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be emotionally and physically challenging for family members and caregivers. Can you share some advice and strategies for caregivers on how to provide the best possible care and support for their loved ones with Alzheimer's, while also taking care of themselves?

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Absolutely, caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be very challenging, both emotionally and physically. It's a 24/7 job, and it can be very demanding. And it's very important for caregivers to take care of themselves, because if they don't take care of themselves, they won't be able to take care of their loved ones. So self-care is very, very important. So what are some strategies for caregivers to provide the best possible care and support for their loved ones with Alzheimer's, while also taking care of themselves? Here are some tips:

1. Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power. Learn as much as you can about Alzheimer's disease, its symptoms, its progression, and the available treatments and resources. Understanding the disease can help you better anticipate and manage its challenges.

2. Seek Support: You're not alone. Reach out to support groups, organizations, or online communities specifically for Alzheimer's caregivers. These groups provide valuable information, resources, and a platform to share your experiences and concerns with others who understand what you're going through.

3. Develop a Routine: Creating a structured daily routine can help your loved one with Alzheimer's feel more secure and reduce anxiety. Consistency and predictability in daily activities can be comforting for them.

4. Communicate Effectively: Alzheimer's can impair communication. Speak slowly, use simple language, and maintain eye contact when communicating with your loved one. Be patient and listen actively, even if their responses don't always make sense.

5. Safety First: Safety is a top priority. Ensure the home environment is safe by removing hazards, using locks or alarms on doors and windows, and providing assistive devices like handrails and grab bars.

6. Offer Choices: Provide your loved one with choices whenever possible. For example, allow them to choose between two clothing options or two meal choices. This can help them maintain a sense of control and independence.

7. Be Flexible: Understand that your loved one's needs and abilities may change over time. Be prepared to adapt your caregiving approach and plans as the disease progresses.

8. Take Breaks: Caregiving is demanding, and you need regular breaks to recharge. Enlist the help of family members, friends, or respite care services to provide relief when needed.

9. Self-Care: Caring for your own physical and emotional well-being is crucial. Prioritize self-care activities, such as exercising, eating well, getting enough sleep, and managing stress through relaxation techniques or mindfulness.

10. Legal and Financial Planning: Address legal and financial matters early on, such as establishing power of attorney, creating an advance directive or living will, and managing finances and healthcare decisions.

11. Anticipate Emotional Challenges: Alzheimer's caregiving can be emotionally taxing. Be prepared for the emotional ups and downs, and don't hesitate to seek professional counseling or therapy if needed.

12. Avoid Overloading: Be cautious about taking on too much. Learn to say no when necessary, and delegate responsibilities when possible. Avoid caregiver burnout by setting realistic expectations for yourself.

13. Celebrate Small Victories: Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, and it's essential to acknowledge and celebrate small achievements and moments of joy, no matter how fleeting they may be.

14. Maintain Social Connections: Stay connected with friends and family. Isolation can lead to caregiver burnout. Reach out to your support network for emotional support and assistance.

15. Plan for the Future: Discuss your loved one's wishes for future care and consider long-term care options, such as assisted living or memory care facilities, as the disease progresses.

Remember that you're doing your best, and it's okay to ask for help. Don't hesitate to consult healthcare professionals, like geriatric specialists or social workers, who can provide guidance and resources to support both you and your loved one. Ultimately, caregiving for someone with Alzheimer's is a journey filled with challenges, but it's also an opportunity for compassion, love, and shared moments.

Linda Robinson: Thank you for sharing those practical and valuable tips for caregivers. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is undoubtedly challenging, and these strategies can help provide better care while also preserving the well-being of the caregiver. Now, as we wrap up our conversation, is there any additional advice or message you'd like to share with our audience,

 especially for those who may be dealing with Alzheimer's disease in their families or have concerns about their own cognitive health?

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: Absolutely, I'd like to emphasize a few key points:

1. Early Detection Matters: If you or a loved one has concerns about memory problems or cognitive changes, don't hesitate to seek medical advice. Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in managing Alzheimer's disease and improving the quality of life.

2. Stay Informed: Alzheimer's research is ongoing, and new developments in treatments, interventions, and support resources continue to emerge. Stay informed about the latest advancements by seeking information from reputable sources and healthcare providers.

3. Prioritize Brain Health: While there's no surefire way to prevent Alzheimer's disease, adopting a brain-healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk. Focus on factors like maintaining physical and mental activity, a balanced diet, social engagement, and stress management.

4. Don't Isolate Yourself: If you're a caregiver, remember that you're not alone. Reach out for support, share your experiences, and seek help when needed. Building a strong support network can make a significant difference in your caregiving journey.

5. Cherish Moments: Alzheimer's disease can bring challenges, but it's essential to cherish moments of connection, joy, and shared experiences with your loved one. Even as the disease progresses, there can be meaningful and beautiful moments to treasure.

6. Advocate for Alzheimer's Awareness: Join the fight against Alzheimer's by advocating for increased awareness, research funding, and support for affected individuals and their families. Alzheimer's is a global issue, and raising awareness can drive positive change.

Remember that Alzheimer's disease affects not only individuals diagnosed but also their families and communities. Together, we can work towards better understanding, improved care, and ultimately, a world without Alzheimer's.

Linda Robinson: Thank you, Dr. Mohsin Jaffer, for sharing your expertise and insights on Alzheimer's disease, its diagnosis, treatment, and caregiving strategies. Your guidance will undoubtedly provide valuable information and support to our audience. We appreciate your time and knowledge.

Dr. Mohsin Jaffer: You're very welcome, Linda. It's been a pleasure discussing Alzheimer's disease and sharing information that can help individuals and families dealing with this challenging condition. If anyone has further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to seek guidance from healthcare professionals or Alzheimer's support organizations. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Thank you for having me.

Linda Robinson: Our pleasure, Dr. Jaffer. Thank you once again for joining us today, and we wish you continued success in your important work in the field of Alzheimer's care and research.

If you have more questions or need further information, please feel free to ask.