Dr. John Connolly

I live 1,000 miles away from my elderly father, who needs more day-to-day help than I, with three young children, can provide. What’s a geriatric care manager, and can they help my situation?
Dr. John Connolly answered: Geriatric care managers, GCMs for short, act as a more knowledgeable you--informing you and your parent about what kind of care alternatives are available within the community and helping you assess all the medical, financial and legal issues involved with any given choice. Click to read Dr. Connolly's full answer.
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My mother is 71, and her hands and feet are in a lot of pain. Pain medicine isn't an option. Do you think magnetic therapy for arthritis pain is promising?
Dr. John Connolly answered: From the sheer numbers alone of companies hawking magnetic therapy products, it's easy to believe that hard scientific evidence supports the many claims. Click to read Dr. Connolly's full answer.
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What are the pros and cons of Medicare HMOs? Can my parents keep their current doctor?
Dr. John Connolly answered: You might be able to choose your current physician as your "gatekeeper," maintaining the good doctor/patient relationship you seem to have. Still, getting the doctor you want should be only one criterion in deciding whether to join a Medicare HMO.
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My mother described an incident that sounded like a stroke but which left her only a bit dazed. I think she may have had a mini stroke. Should she see a doctor as soon as possible?
Dr. John Connolly answered: You haven't related exactly what your mother described, but if any of the details do match what you have heard about strokes, by all means she should see her doctor at once.
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My 82-year-old mother lives alone. She takes a lot of medications and I am worried that she might not take the proper pills at the proper times. What can I do?
Dr. John Connolly answered: Elderly people are most definitely at an increased risk for problems related to the use of prescription drugs, nonprescription (or over-the-counter) medicines, and herbal or other alternative medicines. The sheer number of drugs they take contributes significantly to problems associated with noncompliance, drug interactions or adverse drug reactions, and the misuse of medications. Click to read Dr. Connolly's full answer.
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Should I really be concerned about the expiration date on medications?
Dr. John Connolly answered: You bet there's something to expiration dates. There are well-known ways that certain products show their age. Click to read Dr. Connolly's full answer.
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