Parents & CareSeeking a contributor
Ask a Geriatric Care Professional
Dementia, falls, medications, and when a situation stops being manageable at home.
This column is waiting for the right professional
We publish questions here once a licensed contributor takes the column — we'd rather leave it empty than answer with someone unqualified. Send your question anyway: it goes in the queue, and if it's urgent we'll point you toward Dear Viva in the meantime.
What this column covers
Philippine-based geriatric practice or care management
- What level of care a described situation usually needs
- Dementia behaviours, wandering, and staffing that is actually safe
- Medication management and the red flags that mean call the doctor
- When home care stops being enough
- Choosing between hospitals and understanding what a facility offers
What it can't
Ask elsewhere — we'll say so rather than guess.
- Diagnosing anyone or changing any medication
- Anything about a specific person’s treatment plan
- Emergencies — those go to a doctor or the ER, immediately
Questions readers send
- “My mother has started wandering at night. How many caregivers does that really take?”
- “Papa has fallen twice. What should we be asking his doctor to check?”
- “How do we know when home care is no longer safe?”
Recognize yours? Send it in — anonymously if you prefer.
General information only — never medical advice, and never a substitute for your parent’s own doctor. In an emergency, go to the hospital.