Choosing a medical decision maker

Deciding who speaks for you in a medical crisis is a practical step many residents delay.

The television series Aging Untold aired on Nov. 5 with segments on healthcare planning, oral health, and outdoor therapy.

Sam Cradduck, a gerontologist, explained the scope of power given to a named healthcare proxy.

Cradduck stated that this individual decides whether a patient enters a skilled rehab facility after surgery.

The proxy also determines if the patient moves to assisted living or remains at home.

Cradduck noted that the proxy selects the caregivers who will attend to the patient.

She emphasized that the chosen person must advocate for the patient's wishes rather than their own desires.

The show then addressed chronic dry mouth, a condition affecting 40% of adults aged 80 and older.

The American Dental Association reports that 30% of adults aged 65 and older suffer from this issue.

Symptoms include soreness, bad breath, and difficulty wearing dentures.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board certified physician, listed several causes for the condition.

These causes range from dehydration and nerve damage to cancer and autoimmune disorders. Rogers identified medications as a primary driver of dry mouth. She added that it can appear in otherwise healthy individuals as an early sign of trouble. Dr. Nathaniel Mann, an emergency doctor at Prisma Health, shared his perspective on outdoor activity. Mann spent two years practicing medicine in remote environments around the world. He practices wilderness medicine and believes being outside is a powerful treatment. Mann said people should be prescribed time outside in the same way they are prescribed medicine. "I absolutely think we should," Mann said. The episode also featured a segment on ironwork in New Orleans. Centuries of iron frames the city's architecture, from balconies to fences. Darryl Reeves is one of the few blacksmiths who continues this tradition, following his grandfather. Reeves said beating metal provides joy and a way to release frustration. "How many people get to beat on metal, especially if you're frustrated with something and get it out? How many people do that?" Reeves asked. The program states it is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or professional services. Viewers should consult a licensed physician for personal medical advice. The show advises against using the information to diagnose or treat a health problem. Those with a medical condition should seek advice from a qualified health provider. Viewers are told never to disregard professional medical advice because of what they see on the program. In a medical emergency, the show advises calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room.