DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast #377 Integrating Pharmacogenomics (PGX) into Elder Care
What happens when a loved one is trying to age at home, their memory is changing, and their medications suddenly start causing more harm than help?
In this episode of DNA Today, we’re talking about aging in place, memory care, and an often-overlooked piece of the puzzle, how someone’s genetics can affect the way they respond to medications later in life.
Our guest is Michele Magner, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, caregiver advocate, and educator who works closely with families navigating dementia, chronic illness, and the emotional realities of caregiving. With deep experience in senior living, gerontology, and family coaching, Michele helps people prepare not just for what’s happening now, but for what comes next.
We’ll explore how pharmacogenomics fits into home-based elder care, why medication reactions are so common in older adults, and how caregivers can better advocate for safer, more personalized care.
On This Episode We Discuss:Aging in Place & Memory Care
- What families are most concerned about when trying to keep a loved one at home
- How memory-related illnesses change caregiving compared to physical limitations alone
- Common misconceptions about the progression of cognitive decline
- What “successful aging in place” realistically looks like
Medication Challenges in Older Adults
- Why polypharmacy is so common—and so risky—in later life
- How medications that once worked well can become problematic over time
- Real-world examples of unexpected medication reactions in individuals with memory changes
- Why older adults are especially vulnerable to side effects, particularly with cognitive impairment
Pharmacogenomics, Explained for Caregivers
- What pharmacogenomics (PGX) is and how to explain it to families in practical terms
- Why genetic-informed prescribing can become relevant later in life, even if medications were previously tolerated
- How PGX may help prevent medication-related crises before they happen
PGX in Home-Based Memory Care
- How pharmacogenomics could reshape medication decisions for dementia care
- Medication categories that often raise red flags in older adults
- How genetic insights may help protect individuals who can’t clearly report side effects
Advocacy, Access & System Gaps
- Barriers families face when trying to access PGX-informed care
- How caregivers can request medication reviews without feeling confrontational
- Where healthcare systems often fall short of the realities families manage at home
Looking Ahead
- What it would mean to routinely integrate pharmacogenomics into elder care
- Michele’s key message for caregivers navigating medications, memory care, and aging in place
Michele Magner has a passion for connecting with people as we navigate the adventures of aging and caregiving! As an experienced family caregiver, with many years in the Senior Living industry, she understands the challenges we are facing as we age and care for those we love. Michele sets people up for success so they are inspired to thrive, not just survive, this one big, beautiful, and complicated life.
Michele has earned her M.B.A., Masters Certification in Gerontology and is a Gerontology Ph.D. student at UNO. She is a Certified Life Coach, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Conscious Aging facilitator. Michele is an Adjunct Professor at Creighton University, teaching Long Term Care Administration. She serves on 2 Board of Directors, the Alzheimer’s Association NE Chapter and The Bloc. Inc. Michele also contributes to the Dreamweaver Foundation, making wishes for people in senior living come true.
She continues to share fresh content and ideas through her Inspired Caring podcast and programs, in addition to private and group coaching.
Relevant Resources:
Need Health?
UChicago News: Women are overmedicated because drug dosage trials are done on men, study finds
ClinPGx
Table of Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers in Drug Labeling
The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC®)
Relevant Papers:
Roncato R, Bignucolo A, Peruzzi E, Montico M, De Mattia E, Foltran L, Guardascione M, D'Andrea M, Favaretto A, Puglisi F, Swen JJ, Guchelaar HJ, Toffoli G, Cecchin E. Clinical Benefits and Utility of Pretherapeutic DPYD and UGT1A1 Testing in Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of the PREPARE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Dec 2;7(12):e2449441. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.49441. PMID: 39641926; PMCID: PMC11624585.
van Marum RJ. Underrepresentation of the elderly in clinical trials, time for action. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020 Oct;86(10):2014-2016. doi: 10.1111/bcp.14539. Epub 2020 Sep 9. PMID: 32909294; PMCID: PMC7495271.
Zucker I, Prendergast BJ. Sex differences in pharmacokinetics predict adverse drug reactions in women. Biol Sex Differ. 2020 Jun 5;11(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s13293-020-00308-5. PMID: 32503637; PMCID: PMC7275616.
Relevant DNA Today Podcast Episode:
#108 Dr. Becky Winslow on Pharmacogenomics
#174 Pharmacogenomics with Fulgent Genetics
#229 Pharmacogenomics with Avni Santani
#324 Genetic Contraindications for Ozempic and Wegovy (GLP-1 Agonists)
#354 How Pharmacogenomics is Revolutionizing Drug Prescriptions
#370 Genetics Wrapped: 2025 Top Advances in Genomic Medicine (Talked about PGx with chemotherapy)
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