Dr. Benjamin Lessig
Geriatrics
Toms River, NJ
26 years experience male
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Geriatrics
Licenses
United States: New Jersey
Languages spoken
American Sign Language, English
Doctor Q&A
173 Answers
22 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Check for meds: Any anti inflammatory medications such as Aspirin or Motrin (not tylenol) can cause easily bruising. Vitamin e may also cause it as well. Also your ph... Read More
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
It depends: Ask the physician about the specific type of chf, the ejection factor, the tolerability and effectiveness of medications, any damages from valves and ... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Could be anything: Not all shaking results tremor itself. Shaking could result in essential tremor (normal aging process), parkinson's and its related conditions (abnorm... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: My best suggestion is to inform the director of wellness nurse about the bad urine odor. It is important for each resident to maintain proper personal... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: This can be too confusing. The corrected answer is the that geriatric medicine deals with aging process whether or not it is normal. It also deals wit... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: Wii, memory games, creating group art projects just as quilts and photography, wine/cheese tasting, histories, and casino games. Just ask residents an... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Look it up: Check if the primary care physician receives additional training in geriatric fellowship or board certified geriatrics. If you have a hard time findin... Read More
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Clarification: If you need a good resource for the senior citizens, go to the local/county government office and they will provide address/info for your needs. If yo... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: Hospice can be done at home with caregiver present, inpatient hospice at the local hospital for acute management only or respite or nursing home while... Read More
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Ask physician: A neuropsychologist will determine specific type of dementia. Sometimes, it can be mixed dementia. Geriatrician will help to collect information from ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 92-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Improving accuracy: There are ongoing research projects to improve diagnotic accuracy such as pet scan, biomarkers and education. However for treaments, there are no cure... Read More
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Depends: As long as you and loved ones feel comfortable and sense of security. Geriatrician or geriatric case manager will help to assist your decision on the ... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Less than usual: There are two kinds of sleep: rapid eye movement(rem) and non-rem. More dreams occur during rem sleep and have the deepest sleep during non-rem sleep.... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: It is not a question of how. It is a question of why this person died from pneumonia. Maybe this person may have a weaker immune system or enroll hosp... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: There is no fda regulation on the current dose of fish oil for prevention of alzheimer's disease. The only fda approved medication that helps to slow ... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: There are no correct answers about the starting age for a geriatric patient. I have younger patients who are now at the nursing home residents. I also... Read More
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Probably no: This drug can cause increased risk of delirium (acute confusional state), especially when it comes to a demented patient. I would prefer safer alterna... Read More
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: Poor safety awareness is due to poor insight, judgment and planning. This person may have a lack of initiation before doing anything. Perhaps a neurop... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Fraility: As the person ages, the level of frailty increases, along with greater disability and possible self neglect.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old female asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Possibly: Please consider setting up appointment with neuropsychology, not neurology or psychiatry. It could be stress or depression.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Good question: Depends on the severity of dementia and the level of cooperation/coordination within family member or companion. I would not allow for this person to ... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old male asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Depends: The clinical course does not follow like alzheimer's disease. However, if the person is not accepting any oral feeding and is bedridden, then, it is n... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Communication is key: check for hearing and may need to remove wax or change the tone of speech. check for visual activity and may need routine eye care. check for memory t... Read More
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Depends: Without dialysis, this person will not able to live more than a month. If you have multiple medical problems, then the life expectancy is shorter but ... Read More
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Check with gyn: It is good idea to see gynecologist if you have at least two short courses of vaginal bleeding on separate days. If you have constant bleeding, then p... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Ask MD: If you started new medication with Mirtazapine and develop side effect, please consult your prescribed physician. It is unusual to develop esophageal ... Read More
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Yes: it can be just for brief period of time. it is generally reversible
2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See Below: It is a legal right for a person who needs financial assistance for daily necessities due to person's limited capacity. This is completely opposite of... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: A retirement home may include independent living, assisted living or extended care facility as well as for senior housing. A disabled individual may q... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Inventory: Just gather inventory from a person's assets and report to the court to review assets. If there is missing or mismanaged financial activities, then th... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Likely yes: If there is a strong history of alzheimer's disease in the family like grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, brothers or sisters, then you could be at... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Can occur at anytime: It is reportable case. The facility administrator must be notified to the family member(s) or legal guardian as mandatory measures and, local police, ... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Contact local APS: If you have any supicious about elder abuse, please contact to local county senior service and ask for adult protective services (aps) they will tell ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
It depends: If you are asking for alzheimer's disease and its related dementia, there is a online training program - www.Care2learn.Com. Of course there are other... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Go to local ER: This sounds very serious about your mother's condition. It would be much easier to have a thorough workup at a local hospital so that the physician wo... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Yes: It will slow down the progression of dementia as well as behavioral symtoms.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: The difference between the nursing home and residential care is based on the level of functioning. In the residential setting, this person able to fee... Read More
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: Chronic cough with mucus production, shortness of breath and decreased daily activity.
This scale will help you to determine the earliest signs of co... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Not easily managable: It has to be treated pharmacologically. Without it, this individual may be danger to self. The treatment has to be individualize to prevent further sy... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: Look for any change of personality, memory loss and loss of functional activity such as bathing, dressing. The new onset of dementia varies by age. Fo... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: there is a medical and social day center and it can be found at the state government web site for list of approved facilities. you would need to take ... Read More
2.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: Most places accept cats. You would have to ask the admission about the pet rule. Of all of my patients who moved into alf and have pets other than cat... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Look it up: It is important to look it up at the website of your state government. This site allows to see if each provider is certified by the state and federal ... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: You will find easily like genworth, john hancock, state farm, mutual of ohama, mass mutual, new york life. The cost will rise as the time goes by. Ple... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: State sponsored medicaid will cover the long term care if you apply with specific qualification. Medicare will not covered unless if you are on medica... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: The mediator assists families efforts in finding the best decisions for a loved one and their family with the overall goal of integrating new relation... Read More
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: If the nursing staff notices that he/she is sick for certain reason(s), then attending physician must be notified. The physician will give further ins... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Possibly yes: Dehydration is the most common cause for both. Also certain medication may play this role. Your physician would have to look the whole picture on why ... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
See below: Medications, acute illness, unfamiliar environmental setting, sensory deprivation (decreased hearing or visual activities) and untreated depression/an... Read More
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 26 years experience
Needs to be clarifed: Each nursing home patient has one attending physician. Each nursing home has own policy and procedure about the role of attending physician for accept... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
343
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Lessig is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Lessig is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Usles tightened. N i get confused when time for pain pill n seizures stroke n happen
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you for taking time to answer, greatly appreciated!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I will head to my health food store tomorrow!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PA
Graduated 1996MD
Residency
UMDNJ
Completed 1999
Awards
Top Geriatrician , Second Place, National - Summer
2013
Affiliations
American Geriatric Society
American Medical Directors Association
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