Focus on Geriatric Medicine and Aging

Eighty million Americans will be above age 65 by the year 2030. This projection offers clear warning that our health care system needs more specialists in geriatric medicine. So, how does the practice of geriatrics compare to internal medicine? How can our policies encourage an influx of geriatricians? Host Dr. Bill Rutenberg talks with Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine.

Alzheimer's patients display many special personal needs beyond the physical care of their disease. How can doctors and caretakers work through the challenges posed by cognitive disability? Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor and chair of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine, explores the social and psychological needs of Alzheimer's patients with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg. Like all of us, they desire respect, dignity, and the best feasible quality of life.

Are you certain the prescribed medication is helping your elderly patient? Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor in the department of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg about reducing polypharmacy in the elderly. What questions should you ask yourself before prescribing a drug to an elderly patient? How does the patient’s age, adherence and side effects relate to your prescribing decision? Is there a framework you can use to help make these difficult prescribing decisions? Join us to learn more.

As an HIV/AIDS prevention educator, and founder and director for the HIV Wisdom for Older Women Program, Jane Fowler describes her work in educating the public and medical community on the impact of HIV incidence and contraction in seniors with host Dr. Gary Kohn. Tune in and listen to a revealing discussion on the increasing rate of infection of HIV in seniors, including their diagnosis and misdiagnosis.

Our guest, Dr. David Wright shares news of a new device currently being tested to screen for mild congnitive impairment, one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's. Is this a device you should have in your office? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel to find out.

Dr. Lazar Greenfield observes the conundrum that there are many standards a physician must comply with to become a surgeon, but no set standards for when a surgeon should retire. Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill speaks with Dr. Greenfield, professor in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and director of the preventive cardiology program and vascular health screening program at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, regarding his longitudinal study on the abilities and self-perception of aging surgeons.