35th Annual Summer Geriatric Institute and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Training

Dr. Grossberg will discuss utilizing clinical and biomarker approaches to diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), applying lifestyle modification approaches to delay/decrease risk of AD, disease-modifying therapies for AD, developing pathways to access for the recently FDA-approved drug, Lecanemab, for mild cognitive impairment due to AD and mild AD, and making use of recently FDA-approved treatment for agitation in AD.

The Annual Horwitt Lecture will address the health and nutrition considerations for transgender clients and patients which are both clinical and psychosocial in nature.  Dr. Linsenmeyer will discuss the range of considerations for older transgender adults with an emphasis on social determinants of health. 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to the ageism within our society and within health care systems, in particular. Dr. Sanford will provide an overview of the causes and impacts of ageist attitudes and behaviors, along with strategies for all professionals to consider.

The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) is an evidence-based framework for assessing and treating critical issues for older adult health. Much like the original 4Ms for hospitals and primary care, the 4Ms Behavioral Health (4M-BH) is a flexible framework for generalist clinicians with little to no geriatrics training to effectively assess and act on the unique mental health and substance use needs of older adults. The elements of the framework, key tools, and outcomes of a recent pilot test of this framework in three community mental health centers will be discussed.

Estimates suggest that roughly 90% of patients with dementia will exhibit behaviors during the course of their illness (i.e., anxiety, aggression, repetitious communication, resisting care). This presentation will discuss behavioral approaches to supporting dementia symptoms and, specifically, how modifying the environment can help to reduce these problematic dementia behaviors.

The Power of Attorney documents are important legal tools and are critical in lifetime planning. This program will explain in detail these documents, how and when to use them, and when the surrogate decision maker's authority is activated.

This presentation will provide an overview of the “3Ds” of mentation: depression, dementia, and delirium from assessment through intervention.

With age comes wisdom, but with age also comes different concerns about risky alcohol and drug use. In this session, Dr. Fred Rottnek, Program Director of SSM Health/Saint Louis University’s Addiction Medicine Fellowship, will discuss what we know and what we’ve learning about prevention, harm reduction, and treatment of risky substance use among older adults. Attendees will learn how to ask questions and help individuals assess and set goals regarding substance use.

Part I of this two-part workshop will provide participants with knowledge and skills to facilitate this evidence-based non-pharmacologic intervention, Circle of Friends, developed to decrease loneliness and social isolation.

Join this panel of organizational leaders who will share their experiences and strategies in supporting staff members’ well-being.

This interprofessional team will provide strategies for professionals helping older adults and family members navigate both the transition to living in a long term setting and supporting the older adults living in long term settings to engage in meaningful activities.

This workshop will provide participants with knowledge and skills to facilitate this evidence-based non-pharmacologic intervention, Circle of Friends, developed to decrease loneliness and social isolation.

Dr. Cooper-Sadlo will discuss issues of suicide risk, prevention, assessment, and intervention within the geriatric population.

The main goal of most older adults is to be able to age successfully in place, yet the number one limitation of people over 65 is difficulty with walking and stairs, making that goal more difficult to achieve. This is why it is so important for older adults and healthcare providers working with older adults to understand the role of maintaining their physical health and fitness.

Dr. Sanford will provide an overview of dementias and current assessment and treatment options.

Introduction of CST interventions and discussion of the evidence that supports the implementation of this non-pharmacologic intervention.

Dr. Zubatsky will provide an overview of the key features and guiding principles of individual and group CST.

Ms. Hayden will review the evidence behind CST effectiveness and introduce the 14 sessions.

Strategies for delivering Individual (iCST) will be presented.

Ms. Lundy will provide strategies and techniques for integrating an exercise protocol into CST interventions.

CST group implementation will introduce participants to group development, facilitation, management, evaluation, and incorporating physical exercise into CST sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to practice skills of facilitating CST groups.