Geriatric Fast Casts

Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy (LATE) is a common but lesser-known cause of memory loss in adults over 75 that can look like Alzheimer's disease. This Geriatric Fast Cast explains what LATE is, how it differs from and overlaps with Alzheimer's disease, how it is diagnosed, and what treatment currently looks like. Geriatric Fast Fact #137.

Managing type 2 diabetes in older adults means balancing the benefits of glycemic control against the risks of hypoglycemia and medication side effects. This Geriatric Fast Cast explains why A1C targets are based on function and goals of care, that low blood sugar is easy to miss in older adults, and how to weigh the benefits and risks of diabetes medications. Geriatric Fast Fact #120.

Falls in older adults are rarely caused by just one thing, and recognizing the many contributing factors is key to preventing them. This Geriatric Fast Cast reviews a simple tool for screening older adults for fall risk, discusses the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to falls, and highlights evidence-based strategies that can help prevent them. Geriatric Fast Fact #81.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and dementia can co-exist in older adults, and this requires thoughtful, individualized consideration of a patient's symptoms and care. This Geriatric Fast Cast discusses the association between PTSD and dementia, reviews possible mechanisms linking the two conditions, and outlines an approach to assessing and managing patients with both diagnoses. Geriatric Fast Fact #116.

Older adults are often underrepresented in clinical trials despite being the patients most likely to receive many of the treatments being studied. This Geriatric Fast Cast discusses why older adult representation in clinical research matters, explores barriers to enrollment, and reviews how to apply evidence from clinical trials to older adults. GFF #126

Influenza can cause serious illness in older adults, and vaccination is the best way to protect against severe disease and hospitalization. This Geriatric Fast Cast reviews current influenza vaccine recommendations for older adults, discusses common reasons for vaccine hesitancy, and provides practical strategies for addressing concerns about influenza vaccination. Geriatric Fast Facts #124 and #125.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, sleep disturbance, and aggression are common in dementia and are often a form of communication about an unmet need. This Geriatric Fast Cast discusses common triggers for these symptoms of dementia and reviews the DICE approach (Describe, Investigate, Create, Evaluate) to help caregivers and healthcare teams respond in a structured, individualized way. GFF #123

Older adults in the emergency department often present with non-specific symptoms and atypical findings, making assessment more challenging. This Geriatric Fast Cast reviews key strategies including obtaining baseline cognition and function, reviewing medications, broadening the differential, assessing social support, and considering goals of care. GFF #58

Hospice is a philosophy of care and a defined insurance benefit for patients at the end of life. This Geriatric Fast Cast reviews hospice elligibility, how hospice differs from palliative care, outlines the four levels of hospice care, explains what hospice does and does not cover, and addresses common misconceptions. GFF #113.

Telemedicine has become a lasting part of healthcare for older adults. This Geriatric Fast Cast reviews the benefits of telemedicine, common challenges, practical approaches to virtual visits, and how to choose the right visit for the right patient. GFF #99