Serving Our Seniors Magazine Jan - Mar 2021

I was fortunate to interview Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi, Cleveland Clinic Endowed Chair for Geriatric Innovation. I asked him to explain how a person’s body changes between the ages of 65 and 80 years old, so our readers can become better informed about their health and their health care in later life. As we talked Dr. Hashmi explained, “As people approach age 80 years old there are 52 normal physiological changes that occur in the body. These are changes that have nothing to do with disease. So, if the older adult knows this and will listen to their body; and if the physician knows this about the older patient, then treatment can be adjusted for the best outcome.” Even for a healthy 80 + year old, liver function and kidney function does decline. The liver is the organ responsible breaking down a medication(s) so the body can make use of it and treat the health problem. The kidney is responsible excreting the medication(s) out of the body so it doesn’t build up in the bloodstream and create or cause health problems. Hashmi said, “What liver and kidney decline means for someone who has been taking the same dose of medications for the last 20 years, is perhaps the same dose of medications is remaining in one’s system longer than it had previously. As the medication stays in the body longer, the patient is exposed to the good effects of the medication – and it may over-do the good effects. For example, when someone has high blood pressure, it may drop the blood pressure to the point that it is too low and this is damaging to one’s health.” A common scenario is an older adult feeling faint or dizzy, caused by too much blood pressure medicine that is circulating in their body. The patient is not functioning to their full potential. Or worse, they fall and break a hip and risk not fully recuperating from the surgery. “What should be happening when treating someone at age 80 + -- whenever possible -- is work to reduce the dose of medication. Maybe even take a medication away,” he said. This type of treatment under the supervision of the physician, has shown that older patients often feel and function better. Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi specializes in treating patients ages 50 and older. His expertise is to improve health and functional independence in later life. Under Dr. Hashmi’s leadership, the Cleveland Clinic offers Successful Aging appointments. Successful Aging appointments are covered by original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage Plans. For more information about such an appointment call Serving Our Seniors office at 419-624-1856 or call the Cleveland Clinic directly at 216- 442-4219, Monday through Friday 8am - 4pm. In 2021 each issue of Serving Our Seniors Magazine will feature an interview with Dr. Hashmi, who will explain other ways normal changes occur in the body, which are common for those near age 80 years and older. 80 years and older: Your Body At Your Age By Sue Daugherty Dr. Ardeshir Hashmi, Cleveland Clinic 4