In this episode, Remo geriatrician Dr. Seetha Bhagavatula talks about her lifelong passion for elder care. Seetha shares her personal journey, inspired by caring for her grandparents at home and witnessing the power of aging in place. She explores the question of identity in dementia and talks about a person’s sense of self and how their relationships often remain intact even as the disease progresses. She shares powerful examples of how approaching individuals as whole people – not just as patients – can unlock communication, improve their well-being, and deepen connections. This holistic and proactive approach focuses on “what matters most” to the individual and is the very foundation of Remo’s work. Seetha delivers a strong message for caregivers: don’t wait until burnout to ask for help – seeking support is a sign of strength and is essential for the long-term health of both the caregiver and their loved one.

About this episode’s featured guest

Dr. Seetha Bhagavatula is a fellowship-trained geriatrician. She got her medical degree from Jagiellonian University Medical College, did her internal medicine residency at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston, and her geriatric medicine fellowship at Duke. Seetha has worked in multiple care settings, including inpatient, outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living communities, CCRC, memory care units, and supportive housing. Prior to Remo, she was a geriatrician at Summit Elder Care PACE in Massachusetts, where she helped elders age in place with an emphasis on quality of life, patient-driven care, and what matters most.

About Remo’s host Dr. Emily Silverman

Dr. Emily Silverman is an internal-medicine physician, Assistant Volunteer Professor of Medicine at UCSF. She is the creator and host of The Nocturnists, an award-winning medical storytelling program that has uplifted the voices of more than 450 clinicians since 2016 through its podcast and live performances. Her work has been supported by a MacDowell fellowship and widely published in numerous publications including JAMA, The New York Times, and NPR. Learn more about Emily by visiting her website.

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The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not the practice of medicine or any profession. It is not intended to be medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.