Iowa Geriatric Education Center GeriaCast

Dr. Schleich will discuss: the background and prevalence of dementia in the United States; the importance of a thorough medication review, and appropriate steps involved when conducting a medication review; methods to help patients with dementia improve medication adherence; and goals of therapy for chronic disease states as they relate to patients with dementia.

Dr. Reist will discuss: potentially inappropriate medications in an older adult's medication regimen; common adverse events resulting from the use of potentially inappropriate medications; potentially dangerous drug interactions in an older adult’s medication regimen; and medications which should have dosages reduced or avoided in older adults with varying degrees of decline in kidney function, and identify medications with strong anticholinergic properties.

Dr. Marchini will discuss: how cognitive impairment negatively affects oral health; adverse effects of inadequate oral health for cognitively impaired patients; how to improve oral health of cognitively impaired patients; and current theories on how inappropriate oral health may worsen cognitive impairment.

Dr. Schultz will discuss: the purpose of identifying mild cognitive changes to detect early dementia; the early cognitive changes that may be seen in Alzheimer's and vascular-related dementia; the Hachinski Scale; and the early clinical features that are characteristic of frontotemporal and Lewy body dementia.

Dr. Smith will discuss: the landscape of factors that contribute to care transitions; common challenges related to transitions between care settings; online resources designed to promote quality transitions; and "simple" solutions that promote quality.

Dr. Narayanan will discuss: non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease; what brain systems are involved in Parkinson's disease; what treatments are available for non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease; and future directions in Parkinson's disease research.

Dr. Hoth will discuss: the importance of taking the time to better understand psychosocial concerns in patients with chronic lung disease; barriers to the recognition of psychosocial issues in older adults with chronic lung disease; common psychological concerns among older adults presenting with chronic lung disease, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment; and key aspects of psychosocial assessment in comprehensive treatment of older adults with pulmonary disease.

Dr. Butler will discuss: diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes; the function of insulin and the role it plays in the body's normal function; screening and testing of diabetes; and how depression, treatment factors, and coping strategies and treatments and treatment goals for type 2 diabetes and evidence to support treatment goals.

Dr. Clark will discuss: the technical aspects of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement; current recommendations for tube nutrition in advanced dementia; meaningful informed consent provided to surrogate decision-makers considering PEG placement in demented patients; and the role of advanced care planning in facilitating decisions re: tube nutrition.

Dr. Voss will discuss: the effects of aging on brain structure and function; the difference between physical activity and fitness; the effects of physical activity and fitness on brain structure and function in healthy older adults; and the effects of physical activity and fitness on risk for dementia.