Dr. Benjamin Lessig
Geriatrics
Toms River, NJ
27 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 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Individualize: The treatment of dementia is varied based on the type of the behavior the patient is presented, the availibility of primary caregiver, the level of co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 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
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: Too much sodium and not enough water. It is common for elder population to become dehydration due to dementia, not enough water while on tube feeding,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Depend: You would need to clarify about moving into the retirement community. If there is a facility like springpoint where there is a physician and nursing s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: There is only one mutated copy of the gene needed for a person to be affected. Each affected person usually has one affected parent. There is a 50% ch... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Contact: Please contact to a local or county senior service. It has a list of agencies that provide care for the elderly. Once you pick an agency, find the rig... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Speech therapy: Speech therapist can help to improve speech and language. It can be found at the outpatient rehabiliatation clinic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: It is a microtubule proteins that are found inside neurons, it allows for stablility and flexibility of filaments. But when it becomes less flexibilit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Depends: If he is taking medication for blood pressure, if he is taking blood pressure when standing or sitting, if the non-cardiac medication cause blood pres... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Only if: The hospice nurse is available for 24/7 on call. If the loved one is actively dying, acute distress or acute illness, the hospice nurse will stay long... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 67-year-old female asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Try geriatrician: Geriatrician is very capable of managing delirium. They train with psychiatrist and neurologist during the residency and fellowship. They are able to ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Needs to be asked: There are some pet organizations that allows to bring animals for therapy. But they need to get the permission from the assisted living facility to al... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Great benefits: It can be done at home, adult daycare, assisted living and nursing home. It will provide daily individual's needs. Otherwise without it, you would hav... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: If you are concerned about your mental health, i would consult to primary care physician. Only healthcare professional and layperson can identify a pe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: Physicians are trained various methods neuropsychological battery testing. Some methods are for screening and other are diagnostic purpose. To diagnos... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: There is a growing trend for young people into the nursing home. Financial issues are the key factor due to complex medical and pyschiatric condition.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
It varies: To determine the best result of recovery, it depends on his overall health status, cognitve status, the level of fraility, and his baseline functional... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Theurapetic effect: Most published studies have shown that pet therapy or having a pet reduced the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It could be a dog, cat, fish, rabbi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old female asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Depends: Some shelters offers seniors during tornado warnings. Please check with local county law enforcement about coordination of seniors during the diaster ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Check state website: Please look it up at your state government web site as well as feedbacks from the community and geriatric case manager. You should get a full tour, no... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: It is rare, rapidly degenerative and fatal brain disorder. Most of them died at least one year from the onset of symptoms including memory loss, lack ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Depends: There is no set age for patients if under the care by a geriatrician. However it is up to a geriatrician to take your case.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Check for weakness: This person may be getting weaker. It could be missed stroke, worsening of memory loss, or bad arthritis. I would consider a physical/occupitonal ther... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Advance directive: please check for advance directive or living wills if she wants to continue for life support. it needs to be addressed by the primary attending if the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 65-year-old female asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Prevention measures: Daily cranberry juice or pill will help to prevent uti. However, if there is multiple uti, then there may be a kidney stone, tumor, incontinence, dryn... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: Please find the yellow page under home health care. It also can be found at a local hospital and ask the operator to connect for home health care. The... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Cannot predict: Dementia does not started as the physician diagnosed it. It could be few year earlier. The duration for dementia is anywhere from 2-20 years with the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 63-year-old male asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Good questions: Ipratropium is nebulizer treatment and it is short acting (does not last longer requiring more treatments). Tiotropium is a long acting inhaler and is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
It depends: It could be anxiety, misplaced blood pressure cuff, shortness of breath when walking to the exam table, medication induced, whitecoat hypertension. Yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Depends: I am not sure the reason for having stomach operation but here is a simple rule of thumb - the smaller size of stomach the higher risk of malnutrition... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Yes: Latest published studies showed that alzheimer's patients lack melatomin related metabolism in the body resulting sundowning effect. With the introduc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Rehab specialist: If you attend at any rehabilitation center or at home, ask physical and occupitional therapists to provide teaching tools and education on your loved ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: The level of immune system is decreased over the aging process, especially much worsening for dementia individuals. They cannot communicate UTI sympto... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Many things: Improved safety, upgraded equipment, more activities, centralized healthcare center within facility, medication monitoring, and better screening for a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: There is a concept called compression of mortality. In early 1900's people died at early age from infectious diseases until 1940's when penicillin dis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
It varies: It is recommended to have a speech/langauage therapist to work with stroke patients with aphasia. Have the therapist to educate loved ones or family m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Yes: Mostly in the later stage of dementia. There are different types of dysphagia resulting different kind of diet consistency (soft, chopped, puree, blen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Mostly yes: In the past, it took more than two hours to have a complete assessment. It was somewhat burdensome for a patient and loved one to stay longer. Now, it... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Depends: Both drugs belong to different class due to specific activity of mechanism for slowing down the progression of alzheimer's disease. The decision to pi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 65-year-old female asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Just ask him: Couple things are going on. He could be sufferring memory loss, sufferring medical problems that he does not want to deal with, taking too many meds t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Possibly yes: Stress and anxiety will result elevated blood pressure and therefore it can cause stroke like symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: It is a loss of mental function thay affects daily life. It involves memory loss, decreased activity and change of personality. Dementia is the broad ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: Clarification is needed for the type of placement. If she fails interview for assisted living placement, find out the reason. It could be liability is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Write them down: Is it non-profit or for profit corporation?
Is it 24 hours nursing staff availability on site?
Is it a good record of deficency free or complaint free... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Generally yes: So that it will prevent depression and loss of independence as well as development of worsening of dementia.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Would be nice: It will allow you to sharpen your brain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
The early the better: If the loved ones present any of 10 early signs of ad (www.Alz.Org/10signs), then go to any of physician's office, preferably geriatric specilaist, as... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: Loved one prefers to stay on current location instead of moving to another location because of fear of losing independence while the primary caregiver... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
Get a 2nd opinion: If you have a blood pressure machine at home, please check it before you get up in the morning (lying down position). Then get up slowly with blood pr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Benjamin Lessiganswered
Geriatrics 27 years experience
See below: You would need some sort of supervision for treatments. Dementia is the loss of the mental function. Your healthcare professional and primary caregive... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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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