Aging Institute News Archives

1. 2010 Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine – March 25-27, 2010
   Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine is an annual conference presented by The Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society Western Division and The University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging. The 18th Annual Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine will be held March 25-27, 2010 in the Omni William Penn Hotel. This course is designed for family practitioners, internists, geriatricians, and other healthcare professionals who provide care to older adults. The conference will feature a half day concentration on "Technology" for the practicing clinician in caring for the elderly.
2. Technology for Life and Living (TeLLS) 2010 – March 26, 2010
   The one day TeLLs Conference is jointly offered with the 2010 Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine on Friday, March 26, 2010 in the Omni William Penn Hotel. The goal of this conference is to explore existing and emerging technologies that support clinical practice and consumer-centric care in the home and community. The format will include presentations and discussion about currently available and envisioned systems for clinical or personal use, their usability and acceptability to various stakeholders (clinicians, practitioners and consumers), and relevant policy issues. Click here for additional information.

December 2009
I AM HERE
Interventions for Assessment of Mental Health in Elders with Resources and
Education

I AM HERE is an interactive training program on six very critical topics in mental health. The phrase "I AM HERE" is frequently used by older adults to convey an unspoken expression of "I am here in front of you, right now, so take this opportunity to observe my behavior, ask me questions but, most importantly, listen to my responses and help me."

The I AM HERE mental health series was developed by the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging and the Geriatric Education Center of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh Campus. Older adults suffering from depressions, delirium, dementia, substance abuse, thoughts of suicide and anxiety do not receive the help they need. Each topic is explained in 30 short minutes with tips for caregivers on how to screen, assess and manage these very difficult situations. This program is appropriate for any health care setting and is meant to be helpful for all disciplines in health care. To learn how to order this interactive program click here.

October 27, 2009
November is National Family Caregivers Month

In recognition of the National Family Caregivers month, the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging and UPMC Health Plan are hosting an event designed for caregivers on November 4, 2009. Please join us for an informative and supportive program featuring Richard Schulz, PhD., Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, and national expert on adult caregiving.

August 20, 2009
Visiting Professor Lecture Series

The University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging invites all the faculty, staff and students in the field of aging at the University of Pittsburgh and QoLT, to attend the Visiting Professor Lecture Series and hear presentations by nationally and internationally renowned researchers in the field of aging. The monthly series are held on the second Thursday at 4:00 pm in Scaife Hall, Auditorium 6, 4th Floor, University of Pittsburgh. For additional information, click here.

May 1, 2009
AGS Medication Symposium

Drs. Agostini, Min, Hanlon, Handler and Steinman presented Optimizing Medication Therapy in Clinically Complex Elders: Concepts, Evidence and Future Directions at the 2009 American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.

April 28, 2009
Geriatrics Named in the Top Ten Medical Specialties by U.S. News’s Ranking of America's Best Medical Schools in 2009

The University of Pittsburgh Medical School ranked 13th in overall research in the U.S. News & World Report Rankings of the Best Medical Schools in the Country. The specialty rankings by the U.S. News, placed Geriatrics (number 10) and Women’s Health (number 3) at the University of Pittsburgh in the top ten in the nation.

February 3, 2009
Seniors participating in the Part D Medicare Advantage prescription program cut back on their medications by 14 percent once they hit the "doughnut hole" coverage gap, raising questions about possible risks to their health. A new study from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health suggests that a better approach might be adding coverage for generic medication -- for about one-fourth the cost of a brand name drug -- during the coverage gap. Then, to offset the added expense for the program, a beneficiary's contribution in the first phase would be slightly increased. To view the full article, click here.

January 21, 2009
17th Annual Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine

Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine is an annual conference presented by The Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society Western Division and The University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging.

The 17th Annual Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine will be held March 19-21, 2009 in the Omni William Penn Hotel. This course is designed for family practitioners, internists, geriatricians, and other healthcare professionals who provide care to older adults. Previous attendees will also be interested because of the conference’s continually changing topics, speakers, and approach. More than 400 clinicians from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, as well as other parts of the country, attend the three day, serving older adults conference.

The conference will provide an in-depth update of geriatric care, and will use a variety of formats including:

• Lectures, including many internationally respected authorities
• “Breakout” workshops to provide even more depth and practical information
• A New Full-day Symposium focusing on hospitalized care of the elderly
• Long –term Care Track focusing on care of the institutionalized older patient
• Interactive Dinner Symposium—What is So Hard About Dying? –discussing the challenges caring for the dying patient

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates attendees 19.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Early registration is until March 2, 2009 for a fee of $310. Register online at http://ccehs.upmc.edu. For questions and more information on conference details and credit offerings please call: (412) 647-8232 or email: ccehsconfmgmt101@upmc.edu

January 15, 2009
Tips for Staying Healthy and Warm in 2009 from UPMC and Pitt Schools of the Health Sciences The holiday season may be behind us, but the weather outside is still frightful. To help you start 2009 off right – and stay healthy, safe and warm – the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and the Pitt Schools of the Health Sciences offer the following tips. To view the full article, click here.

January 13, 2009
Human Beta Cells Can Be Easily Induced to Replicate, According to Pitt Study in Diabetes Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have successfully induced human insulin-producing cells, known as beta cells, to replicate robustly in a living animal, as well as in the lab. The discovery not only could improve models and methods for studying diabetes, but also opens up new possibilities for treating the condition. To view the full article, click here.

November 18, 2008
Pitt study found that Ginkgo Biloba does not reduce the risk of Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that the herb ginkgo biloba does not reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease development in either the healthy elderly or those with mild cognitive impairment. The study was conducted at five medical centers between 2000 and 2008 with 3,069 people age 75 and older who had no, or mild, cognitive impairment. Findings from the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study, which is the first to have the necessary participant numbers and monitoring years to enable measurement of G. biloba’s effectiveness and safety profile in dementia prevention, were published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. To view the full article, click here.

November 10, 2008
Research Fellowship in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy offered by University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburgh Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy are now offering a two-year research fellowship in geriatric pharmacotherapy with emphasis in the areas of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmaceutical outcomes research. The Fellowship is designed to provide intensive mentored research experience in geriatric drug therapy research, provide opportunities for academic teaching experience, and develop and perfect academic skills. Applicants must have a PharmD degree and should preferably have prior residency experience related to geriatrics. To learn more about the program click here.

August 25, 2008
Pitt Scientists Receive $3.6 Million to Test Vaccine Against Deadliest Strain of Avian Flu Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research have been awarded $3.6 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to conduct animal studies of vaccines designed to protect against the most common and deadliest strain of avian flu, H5N1.

August 18, 2008
Pitt Receives $10 Million from Gates Foundation to Help Stop Global Spread of Infectious Diseases The grant will fund the creation of computer simulations of epidemics, showing worst- and best-case outbreak scenarios, which will be used to evaluate new vaccine technologies and modes of vaccine delivery.

July 28, 2008
Maintenance Treatment Of Major Depression In Old Age
Dr. Reynolds and colleagues found that in people age 70 and older who had recovered from a first episode of major depression, the best way to prevent recurrence was to take an antidepressant for two years.

January 24, 2008
Drug-Coated Stents Perform Better Than Bare Metal Stents in Higher Risk Patients The use of drug-coated stents in patients with complex heart disease is associated with a lower rate of repeat procedures without an increased risk of death or heart attacks compared to bare metal stents.

October 5, 2007
A conference on "Late-Life Depression, Delirium, Dementia, and Bereavement: Integration of Research, Teaching, and Clinical Care" (MA50) is scheduled to take place on October 5, 2007 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. This meeting will address: advances of the clinical evaluation, differential diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, and psychosocial interventions for late-life depression, dementia, and bereavement. All of these disorders are associated with decreased quality of life, disability, and premature death both from suicide and physical illness. Click here for conference brochure

September 1, 2007
The Institute on Aging in partnership with UPMC, offers a new program called Staying-at-Home to help caregivers with caring for their aging family members. Staying-at-Home is a client-centered care coordination program offered to older adults living in their own home, hospital, long term care facility or a retirement community. To learn more about the program click here and to speak with a referral coordinator call the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging at 1-866-430-8742.

July 13, 2007
UPMC Named to U.S. News Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals for the Eighth Time
With Top Rankings in 14 Specialties, UPMC Is Only Local Hospital Honored: Geriatrics Ranked 8th in the Nation
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has once again received national recognition for its clinical programs. UPMC has earned 13th position in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of the Best Hospitals in the Country. The 2007 results place UPMC one notch higher than last year and mark its eighth appearance on the prestigious Honor Roll, which includes only 18 hospitals nationwide. In addition, UPMC is nationally ranked in 14 of the 16 medical specialties surveyed and is the only local hospital to receive recognition in any category. UPMC earned Honor Roll status by listing at or near the top in at least six specialties according to the magazine. The specialty rankings for UPMC are: 3rd in ear, nose and throat; 8th in geriatrics; 10th in rheumatology; 11th in psychiatry ; 12th in cancer, neurology and neurosurgery, and orthopedics; 14th in kidney disease; 16th in respiratory disorders; 18th in rehabilitation; and 27th in digestive disorders, endocrinology and urology.

For additional information, click here.

Pittsburgh, May 24, 2007
UPMC SPORTS MEDICINE’S PRIMA PROGRAM INVITES PEOPLE OVER 40 TO GET ‘FROM COUCH TO 5K’ BY ENROLLING IN ‘START’
UPMC Sports Medicine’s Performance and Research Initiative for Masters Athletes (PRIMA) invites men and women over age 40 to enroll in START, a new lifestyle-changing program specifically designed for adults who don’t exercise regularly. Beginning June 16, UPMC Sports Medicine experts will guide participants through 12 weeks of physical activity and education that will gradually prepare them to walk or run the 5K portion of the 30th annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race on Sept. 30. START program participants also will acquire the skills needed to achieve long-term results even after completing the classes, which will stress maintaining a healthy lifestyle and improving physical fitness in the future. The first START program session takes place June 16 and participants will meet once per week for 12 weeks thereafter. All sessions will be held at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, located at 3200 South Water Street on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Free parking is available. The program is offered at an introductory rate of $120. For more information or to register, call (412) 432-3651. Space is limited!

Anaheim, CA, May 23, 2007
Men With Enlarged Prostate Can Benefit From Botox Injections Up To A Year After Treatment
Injecting botulinum toxin A, or Botox, into the prostate gland of men with enlarged prostate, eased symptoms and improved quality of life up to a year after the procedure, according to a study by researchers at the Chang Gung University Medical College, Taiwan, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The study, based on 37 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) in Anaheim, Calif. and published in Abstract 1837 in the AUA proceedings. BPH is one of the most common diseases affecting men as they age. More than half of all men over the age of 60 and 80 percent by age 80, will have enlarged prostates. Forty to 50 percent will develop symptoms, which include more frequent urination, urinary tract infections, the inability to completely empty the bladder and, in severe cases, eventual damage to the bladder and kidneys. “Millions of men in the United States suffer from enlarged prostate,” said Michael B. Chancellor, M.D., senior author of the study and professor of urology and gynecology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “It’s a challenging disease to live with because it causes frequent and difficult urination. Unfortunately, common treatments also are problematic because they carry some risk of serious side effects, such as impotence. Our results are encouraging because they indicate that Botox could represent a simple, safe and effective treatment for enlarged prostate that has long-term benefits.” For more information, click here.

Pittsburgh, May 22, 2007
UPMC OFFERS STROKE AWARENESS TIPS FOR WOMEN
Stroke is the third leading cause of death for American women, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer. Every day, more than 270 women in the United States will die from stroke. In support of National Stroke Awareness Month, the UPMC Stroke Institute urges women and all Americans to take action to prevent and to learn the warning signs of stroke. “Patients greatly improve their chances of successful treatment and recovery if they become familiar with the symptoms of stroke and if they rapidly call 9-1-1 to summon help. At the UPMC Stroke Institute, patients who are evaluated within the first three hours of stroke symptoms may be treated with the clot-busting drug, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which can be highly effective in reversing the potentially devastating effects of stroke. And for those who are not evaluated within three hours, we also are involved in promising research that includes treatment outside of that time frame. Stroke is always an emergency. Seek treatment right away to improve your chances of having a better outcome,” said Dr. Lawrence Wechsler, M.D., director of the UPMC Stroke Institute, which offers a round-the-clock stroke assessment and treatment team. For more information about stroke awareness, prevention and treatment, click here.

Pittsburgh, May 7
UPMC TO HOST STROKE AWARENESS EVENTS AND SCREENINGS
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, intended to educate the nation and spread awareness about stroke prevention, symptom recognition and recovery. In observation of National Stroke Awareness Month, several UPMC hospitals are offering educational events and stroke screenings throughout the region. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the No. 1 cause of adult disability. Fortunately, 80 percent of strokes can be prevented. Stroke screening tests are designed to detect conditions that increase the risk of stroke. Screenings are often administered to people without present symptoms, but who may be vulnerable to certain diseases or conditions. For questions about the following public events, please call (412) 647-8080. For more information about stroke, visit http://www.upmc.com/services/strokeinstitute/.

Pittsburgh, April 30, 2007
Henderson-State-of-the Art Lecture to be given by University of Pittsburgh Professor Joseph Hanlon on the topic
“Medication-Related Adverse Patient Events in Older Adults: A Fait Accompli or Public Health Crisis?”

The American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting (Conference) is May 2-6, 2007 in Seattle, WA. We are proud that our UPMC/Pitt faculty/clinicians are delivering more than 50 presentations at the conference, including the eight major presentations shown below. In addition, they are chaired important special interest group and society meetings also shown below. We are very proud that our Internal Medicine Chief Resident Stacey Shaffer is representing us in the Geriatrics Jeopardy quiz show to be held on Saturday evening. It gives us great pleasure to draw your attention to the invited presentation of our own Joe Hanlon (see below). This is a great honor for Joe and the department. Medication usage and patient safety are key areas of research interest to our faculty and one of our emerging strengths as a department.

Joseph T. Hanlon, PharmD, MS, professor of pharmacy and geriatric medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Research Health Scientist at the Pittsburgh VA CHERP and GRECC has been invited to present the prestigious Henderson State-of-the-Art Lecture on Thursday, May 3, 2007 from 9:30a.m.-10:30a.m. The title of his presentation is Medication-Related Adverse Patient Events in Older Adults: A Fait Accompli or Public Health Crisis?

Abstract:  Joseph T. Hanlon, PharmD, MS, Professor of Pharmacy and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, a leading Research Health Scientist (Pittsburgh VA CHERP and GRECC) on the pharmacoepidemiology and health services interventions designed to improve drug therapy for older adults, is the 2007 recipient of the Edward Henderson Award. Dr. Hanlon’s State-of-the- Art Lecture will focus on how often the three major types of medication related adverse patient events (adverse drug reactions, adverse drug withdrawal events and therapeutic failure) occur in older adults. He will review some successful and promising future approaches needed to reduce this public health crisis in older adults. Learning objectives: (1) list the types of medication related problems; (2) discuss the epidemiology of medication related adverse patient events; (3) critique previous research designed to reduce medication related adverse patient events; and (4) describe future approaches that may reduce medication related adverse patient events.

A pdf version of the handout for Joe’s talk is here. A pdf version of the slides from Joe’s talk is available here.

Additional major presentations by Aging Institute faculty

To view abstracts of the other 40 plus presentations being given by UPIA faculty and students that are not included in the list shown above, click here. Many of the presentations listed in this document are products of work done by our Claude B. Pepper Center for Older Americans. Under the leadership of Dr. Studenski, our center focuses on balance disorders in the older adults. For additional information about the Pittsburgh Pepper Center, see our website at http://www.pepper.pitt.edu/

BRINGING "PATIENT SAFETY CULTURE" FRONT AND CENTER IN LONG-TERM CARE
PITTSBURGH, April 9 –Nursing homes and hospitals care for vulnerable older adults. Keeping these patients safe requires vigilance, communication, and ongoing cooperation among staff members who are supported by management and administration. We hear about scandalous patient safety breakdowns in the national news, but how are our healthcare facilities really doing? Dr. Steven Handler, assistant professor in the University of Pittsburgh division of geriatric medicine, has conducted research on this topic in several Pennsylvania nursing homes and recently shared his findings at the AMDA Foundation Research Network Conference in Hollywood, FL. According to Dr. Handler, all health care settings should establish comprehensive patient safety programs operated by trained personnel within a culture of safety. To view an article published in AMDA’s Caring for the Ages March 2007 issue about Dr. Handler and Patient Safety Culture, click here.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER TO OFFER FREE HEAD AND NECK CANCER SCREENINGS
PITTSBURGH, April 6 – The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) will host free head and neck cancer screenings from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, April 20, at the Eye and Ear Institute, third floor, 203 Lothrop St., Oakland. The event will coincide with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (April 11-17) sponsored by the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation.

In 2007, more than 65,000 people will be diagnosed with oral, head or neck cancers and more than 12,500 will die. Oral, head and neck cancer refers to a variety of cancers that develop in the head and neck regions, such as the oral cavity, throat, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, larynx, thyroid and salivary glands, skin of the face and neck; and lymph nodes in the neck.

“More than 85 percent of head and neck cancers are related to tobacco use, making this one of the most preventable diseases of our time,” said Stephen Lai, M.D., head and neck surgeon and assistant professor in the department of otolaryngology at UPMC. “To see so many people suffering needlessly is heartbreaking. As physicians, we need to educate the public about head and neck cancer and encourage people to get regular checkups and to eliminate high-risk habits like smoking.” The screenings are open to the public. No pre-registration is required. For more information, please call (412) 647-2100.

LINKS BETWEEN PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT, PERIODONTAL DISEASE UNCOVERED BY UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH RESEARCHERS
PITTSBURGH, March 29 – Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has become a valuable weapon in the fight against prostate cancer. As enhanced screening tools detect the cancer in its earliest stages, an increasing number of men who are otherwise healthy are receiving the therapy. However, the growing prevalence of ADT may be cause for concern. In this month’s issue of the Journal of Urology, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine report that prostate cancer patients receiving ADT are three times as likely to show signs of periodontal, or gum disease, as patients who do not receive the therapy.

February 12, 2007
No Place Like Home: Living-at-Home Helps Seniors, Saves Health Care Dollars
“Living-at-home social workers, nurses, and community workers visit clients, help identify their medical needs, and recommend the UPMC or community services that can deliver needed care,” says Missy Sovak, MSW, LCSW, ACSW. Living-at-Home helps older adults like Olga Mitro live independently in their own homes, surrounded by their memories and their belongings. Olga Mitro’s sunny apartment in Greenfield Terrace is full of family photos and gifts from her three sons---shamrock placemats from Ireland and sculpture from Africa—and it smells like buttery, fresh-baked cinnamon cookies. To view the full article, click here. To view more about the Living-at-Home program click here.

February 8, 2007
UPIA Announces Program for Upcoming Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine Conference
The University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging and Division of Geriatric Medicine and their organizational collaborators proudly present the 15th Annual Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine on March 22-24, 2007 at the Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA. Course directors are Victor M. Rudin, MD, Judith S. Black, MD, MHA, and Neil M. Resnick, MD. The burgeoning number of older adults challenges healthcare providers to make cost-effective medical decisions while still providing high quality care. Thus, this year’s conference has been uniquely designed by a consortium of primary care providers and geriatricians from academics, clinical practice, and third party payers. It will address not only a broad spectrum of geriatric conditions but will also provide information on new rules and regulations governing long-term care (LTC) in nursing homes. For additional information and a registration form, click here.

January 2, 2007
Spring 2007 Epidemiology Seminar Series,
"Hot Topics in Epidemiology" Schedule Announced
The University of Pittsburgh Center for Healthy Aging announces its Spring 2007 Epidemiology Seminar Series. The weekly series begins January 4, 2007 and continues through April 19, 2007. All sessions are held on Thursdays from 12 noon - 1:25 p.m. in the Graduate School of Public Health, 115 Crabtree Hall, 130 DeSoto Street in Oakland. Sessions are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required. To view a complete schedule of topics and speakers, click here.

October 26, 2006
UPMC Senior Living Teams with Family Hospice and Palliative Care to Offer Help with End-of-Life Decisions
UPMC Senior Living has teamed up with Family Hospice and Palliative Care to help those embarking on their end-of-life journeys make better, informed decisions. The new Circle of Life program recently introduced in the UPMC Senior Living skilled nursing facilities combines traditional care along with specialized expertise of the Family Hospice and Palliative Care staff to provide a compassionate, comforting end-of-life transition for residents and loved ones.

October 23, 2006
Computer-Based "Games" Enhance Mental Function in Patients with Alzheimer's
Computer-based tasks aimed at increasing mental activity and enhancing mental function can improve cognition in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, serving as an effective addition to medications commonly used to treat the disease. Researchers found that the internet-accessible computer activities were even more successful than classic exercises of mental stimulation commonly used with dementia patients.

June 2006
Sports Medicine Experts Offer Tips for Senior Golfers
According to the U.S. National Golf Foundation, senior golfers (over 50 years old) account for about 25 percent of the total golfer population.

Explaining some of the benefits as well as possible health issues associated with playing golf, sports medicine experts at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) provide some useful tips for senior golfers on how to make the game more enjoyable and lower the injury risks associated with the game of golf.

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