Serving Our Seniors Magazine: Jan - Mar 2022

Depression screening. This was another series of questions about my life and how I feel about myself and my life. My score did not suggest any issues with depression. If it had, both medication and non- medication (counselling) may have been suggested to address depression. There is also a “cheek swab” pharmacogenomics test, to identify which depression medications are right for each individual and which would cause side effects. This is all based on each patient’s unique DNA (from the cheek cells). Swallowing problems. The Cleveland Clinic is conducting a study on changes in voice and swallowing in older adults. A medical student met with me to screen my ability to swallow. Many in the health care profession see problems with voice and swallowing as normal aging. The medical student explained that voice changes and/or difficulty swallowing are not normal aging. He said, “Something is causing this to happen.” This is a condition that can be treated when properly diagnosed. Untreated or undertreated swallowing problems deserve more attention than is paid. Swallowing problems are responsible for malnutrition and failing to take medications as prescribed. If my screening test suggested impaired swallowing, I would have been given the option to see an ears, nose & throat, physician, who specializes in treating changes in voice and swallowing. Treating a changing voice is also important. When the voice becomes too soft for others to hear, it becomes too much work to talk. This can cause one to feel like a bother / interruption when socializing. This prompts some people withdraw from interacting with friends and family. Hearing Screening Test. This was another one of my concerns. In my case, I was able to hear the various sounds and pitches in both ears during the screening test. The results did not show hearing loss that required treatment. Therefore, I was not referred to an audiologist for further testing. The doctor conducted a variety of screening tests for muscle strength and flexibility along with a Balance Screening Test and a Walking Screening Test. It confirmed my balance is impaired, but my walking gait is strong. At the conclusion of my 2-hour appointment the doctor explained to me, “Since you have noticed some changes in your memory and you do have changes in your balance, the interesting thing is the vitamins I check for in the blood test are exactly what I check for in memory and balance. Sometimes there can be a link.” Then he explained, “It is not a huge deficit, but there is something that is changing and it is easily and naturally treatable. Could that ‘something’ be causing the memory changes and the balance changes?” He also explained, for some people, who have a greater degree of impaired balance than I am experiencing, this can be caused by compression of the spine. Blood tests were ordered to find out my levels of vitamin Medical student is asking questions about swallowing Screening for hearing impairments Screening for balance 14