Geriatric psychiatry - Articles - Page 2

Sexual Heath in Older Adults: A Primer

October 16, 2023

Stephanie Collier, MD, Neha Jain, MD, FAPA, and Rehan Aziz, MD.

Sexuality is a broad term that encompasses sexual identity, activity, attitude toward sex, intimacy, partnership, and pleasure. In this podcast, we cover the basics of sexual function and the effects of aging, medical comorbidities, and mental health on sexuality. We discuss sexual health in long-term care settings and in older adults with cognitive disorders and suggest an approach to commonly encountered sexual health issues.

3 Ds of Geriatric Psychiatry

October 9, 2023

Stephanie Collier, MD and Neha Jain, MD, FAPA

Both common, yet elusive, symptoms of depression, dementia, and delirium may overlap in older adults, which provides a diagnostic challenge. Even more confounding, these three disorders, the three Ds of geriatric psychiatry, frequently present simultaneously. In this episode, we will review key features to help distinguish between these disorders and provide some tips on their management.

Expert Q&A

Lifestyle Medicine: How to Promote Healthy Change in Older Adults

July 11, 2023

Edward M. Phillips, MD

Edward M. Phillips, MD.

Whole Health Medical Director, VA Boston Healthcare System; Founder and Director, Institute of Lifestyle Medicine, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital; Associate Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Co-author of Food, We Need to Talk (New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press; July 2023) and co-host for the associated podcast: www.foodweneedtotalk.com/about

Dr. Phillips has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.

Dr. Phillips shares his approach to tackling behavioral changes.

Clinical Update

Sexual Health in Older Adults: A Primer

July 11, 2023

Neha Jain, MD, FAPA

Neha Jain, MD, FAPA. Associate professor of psychiatry; Medical Director, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program; Assistant Program Director, Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT.

Dr. Jain has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.

Aging, medical illness, and mental health affect sexuality in older adults. Treatments can improve sexual dysfunction.

RESEARCH UPDATE

Less Sleep Correlated with Dementia

October 1, 2022

Talya Shahal, MD.

Talya Shahal, MD. Dr. Shahal, author of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This study supports an association between short sleep duration in middle life and an increasedrisk of dementia.

RESEARCH UPDATE

Can Pimavanserin Treat Psychosis in Patients With Dementia?

October 1, 2022

James Black, MD

James Black, MD. Dr. Black, author of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This study suggests that patients started on pimavanserin for dementia and psychosis should probably continue it to prevent relapse, but we will need more data for clarity given flaws in the study design.

RESEARCH UPDATE

Trazodone Probably Not Effective for Dementia

October 1, 2022

Susan L. Siegfreid, MD

Susan L. Siegfreid, MD. Dr. Siegfreid, author of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This study revealed no signal that trazodone protects against neurodegeneration.

RESEARCH UPDATE

Do White Matter Hyperintensities Predict Memory Loss with Electroconvulsive Therapy?

October 1, 2022

Dax Volle, MD

Dax Volle, MD. Dr. Volle, author of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

We can continue to recommend ECT to patients with severe white matter hyperintensities and cognitive impairment, as cognition seems to return to baseline following ECT.

EXPERT Q&A

Assessing Suicide Risk in the Older Adult

October 1, 2022

Yeates Conwell, MD

Professor, vice-chair, and co-director at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide and director of the geriatric psychiatry program, University of Rochester, NY. Director, Office for Aging Research and Health Services, University of Rochester Medical Center.

Dr. Conwell, expert for this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Dr. Yeates Conwell discusses how to assess suicide risk and provides examples on how to intervene.

CLINICAL UPDATE

The 3 Ds of Geriatric Psychiatry: Depression, Delirium, and Dementia

July 1, 2022

Rachel Meyen, MD

Rachel Meyen, MD. Outpatient geriatric psychiatrist, General Mental Health Clinic, Sacramento VA Medical Center, Mather, CA. Dr. Meyen, author of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Symptoms of dementia, delirium, and depression in older adults may overlap, and these disorders often occur simultaneously. We learn how to disentangle these three illnesses through screeners and medical work-up, and how to optimize their management.