Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Rita Stuckey
Mills College, USA
Keynote: Elder Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
Time : 10:00-10:30
Biography:
Rita E. Stuckey completed a B.S. in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles, a dual Masters in Public Administration and Education from California University, East Bay, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mills College. Dr. Stuckey served as the Director of nursing, care management, care coordination, and utilization management in acute, long-term acute, skilled nursing, home health, hospice, psychiatric, and public health care organizations. Dr. Stuckey served on the Board of Governors at Mills College; and is the first African American nurse to earn a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Mills. Dr. Stuckey is the founder of the Care Advocate Program, (www.careadvocateprogram.com), an author and educator.
Abstract:
Abuse of the elderly in nursing homes and residential care facilities is a growing issue facing tens of thousands of senior citizens every year. As the population of older Americans grows, so does the hidden problem of elder abuse, exploitation and neglect. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Elderly abuse is a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. Abuse violations are among the most serious violations that can occur in nursing homes. The elderly and disabled residents living in nursing homes cannot protect themselves from physical attack or sexual assault. All too often, the elderly and disabled cannot even communicate to family members when they have suffered abuse. The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.”Elder abuse occurs in nursing homes across the United States and effects individuals in every social, economic, cultural or religious background. Abuse against the elderly is no respecter of persons, it can happen to anyone. Seniors are victims of negligent nursing homes and staff members. Nursing home abuse against the elderly often goes undetected, unreported and unaddressed because of inadequate internal systems to detect abuse. Seniors residing in nursing homes are afraid to report when they are being abused for fear of retaliation. Every year one out of three facilities are cited for causing serious bodily injury or death to a resident.The American Association for Justice states that the Federal and State governments financing of nursing homes are estimated at 75 billion with the nursing home industry profiting of 3.4 billion. The shocking fact is that 90% of U.S. nursing homes have staffing levels too low to provide adequate care and seniors are suffering from abuse by paid caregivers.. The elderly are easy victims for abuse. There are more than an estimated 2.1 million reports of abuse each year as found in studies of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Stuckey addresses elder abuse in residential, community and insitutional settings with emphasis on curtailing the incidence of abuse and neglect by providing highly trained care advocates at no cost for service.
Keynote Forum
Girish J Kotwal
University of Massachusetts
USA
Keynote: Prompt management of ageing based on disease risk analysis of genotype and lifestyle can contribute to Longevity and improved health
Time : 10:30-11:00
Biography:
Girish J Kotwal has completed his PhD in Biochemistry from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada and Postdoctoral studies from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. He has held academic appoints in the USA and elsewhere. He is the Adjunct Professor of Medicine at UMass, medical school and President of a biotech company involved in finding solutions to inflammatory CNS diseases. He is also president of a bioconsulting company. He has published more than 100 papers in high impact international journals, has had a dozen or more US and international patents, serves as an Editorial Board Member of several high caliber journals and is a Member of scientific societies
Abstract:
Background: At the beginning of this century, the sequence of the entire human genome has been determined, Subsequently the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) has been studied and the risk for diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease that occur in later years of life can be predicted by alleles that predisposes a person to ageing related diseases. rnrnApproach: DNA is isolated from Saliva and SNP analysis is performed for several specific diseases related genes. The level of risk for predisposition to certain diseases which have been previously established was then determined and placed in the context of phenotypic findings.rnrnResults: SNP analysis of over 50 genes in a father and son pair was conducted and the results will be presented.rnrnConclusion: Genes play a key role in Longevity and in gaining insights on how life style changes can overcome gene defects and understanding the interplay of genes, one can better manage Ageing and reduce cost of hospitalization and falls that occur due to defective vision or balancern
Keynote Forum
Ilene Warner-Maron
Institute for Continuing Education and Research, USA
Keynote: Using the senior center as the forum to disseminate HIV/AIDS prevention strategies to older adults
Time : 11:15-11:45
Biography:
Ilene Warner-Maron completed her PhD in health policy in 2007 at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, where her dissertation focused on HIV and aging. She holds Masters Degree in Gerontology from the University of Pennsylvania (1985), Health Care Administration from St. Joseph’s University (1989) and Law and Social Policy from Bryn Mawr College (1995) and Bachelors in Sociology from Philadelphia University (1983) and a Diploma in Nursing from the Albert Einstein Medical Center School of Nursing in 1980. She is the President of the Institute for Continuing Education and Research, a federal monitor of nursing homes in the US, a Member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association and a Fellow in the College of Physicians in Philadelphia.
Abstract:
In 2015, fifty percent of all HIV/AIDS cases in the US will affect people over the age of 50. Despite this increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS either as a consequence of growing older with the virus or contracting HIV in later life, little attention has been paid to older adults by primary care providers with regard to sexuality in general or safe sex specifically. This presentation focuses on a study performed among low-income older adults in six senior centers in Philadelphia, PA, USA to identify knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual health issues pre and post an educational program presented in the setting of the senior center. A parallel study was conducted among senior center staff to determine attitudes about sexuality, the dissemination of safe sex/HIV prevention education and the readiness of staff to engage in dialogue with older adults about intimate issues.
Keynote Forum
Michael J. Sigal
University of Toronto
Cnada
Keynote: Aging and Oral Health
Time : 10:30-11:00
Biography:
Michael J Sigal is the Dentist-in-Chief at the Mount Sinai Hospital and the Director of the Dental Program for Persons with Special Needs / Medically compromised and the Co-Director of the Hospital Dental Residency Program. He was graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry University of Toronto with DDS in 1979, completed one year hospital dental residency at the Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, then Diploma in Pedodontics and the Masters of Science Degree both at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto. He worked as a Full time academic staff in Pediatric Dentistry since 1984. Currently He is Full Professor with tenure and Head of the Discipline and Director of the specialty program in Pediatric Dentistry since 1993
Abstract:
Due to the increase in the elderly population the management of these individuals as they age will continue to present a challenge to the healthcare team. Many elderly will have some or all of their teeth due to improved dental care throughout their lives. Oral hygiene and oral care in the elderly, especially frail elderly is generally poor. However the continuance of good oral health is essential to the maintenance of the elderly individual’s quality of life and to prevent infections which may affect their general health. The maintenance of good oral health has the potential to reduce the incidence of community acquired pneumonia. This presentation will present an overview of the relationship between oral and general health in the elderly patient and then provides an overview regarding oral assessment, treatment and prevention of dental disease.
Keynote Forum
Martin Orrell
University College of London, UK
Keynote: Recent Developments in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia
Time : 11:00-11:30
Biography:
Martin Orrell, FRCPsych PhD, Professor of Ageing and Mental Health at University College London. Prof Orrell works as an Honorary Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and is Director of Research and Development at North East London Foundation Trust. He is a Visiting Professor at City University and Honorary Professor at the University of Liverpool. He is Chair of the Memory Services National Accreditation Panel (MSNAP) and a member of the Prime Ministers Challenge on Dementia Research Group. He currently holds 5 major dementia grants totaling £11 million on psychosocial interventions for dementia care and is co-applicant on a further £9 million. He has published over 200 academic papers. He is a Board member of both INTERDEM and the International Psychogeriatric Association. He is Editor of the journal Aging & Mental Health.
Abstract:
Techniques to stimulate cognition in older people with dementia are widely used around the world. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy as developed by Spector et al. who carried out the original randomised controlled trial comparing a twice-weekly cognitive stimulation therapy group with treatment as usual for older people with dementia. 201 people were in the study and an intention to treat showed benefits to cognition and quality of life . Qualitative methods were used to refine the CST package, and assess experiences of the people attending CST groups, their carers and the group facilitators. Themes identified were positive experiences of being in the group and changes experienced in everyday life providing evidence for the mechanisms of change. The largest ever study of maintenance CST showed benefits to quality of life after 6 months and benefits to cognition for those on anti-dementia drugs who also attended groups. The recent trial of individual CST included 356 participants across 8 UK centres randomised to intervention or usual care. iCST improved the quality of the patient-carer relationship for the person with dementia and improved quality of life for the carer at 6 months.
- Track 1: Biogerontology, Track 2: Management of Ageing & Track 3: Sleep & Ageing Related Disorders
Location: Salon-D
Chair
Girish J Kotwal
University of Massachusetts, USA
Session Introduction
Elizabeth Andersen
The University of British Columbia, Canada
Title: The Impact of Mode of Assignment on Relational Care in Nursing Homes
Time : 11:45-12:10
Biography:
Elizabeth Andersen PhD, RN, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Development, University of British Columbia. Her research is focused on exploring specific components of nursing home cultural change models and their effects on residents, families, and paid caregivers. She is especially interested in the working conditions and expanding roles of more marginalized nursing home employees (care aides).
Abstract:
In Canada, over the past decade, care aides’ assistive and caring roles have expanded considerably due to dramatic shifts in staffing patterns in nursing homes. These shifts are due in part to tremendous health care cost pressures faced by federal and provincial governments and in part to new approaches to health care delivery. In contemporary approaches, the presence of Registered Nurses in long-term care facilities has diminished, while care aides are employed in escalating numbers. Care aides have become the most central or the most accessible/available service providers to residents. In many facilities, teams of care aides who used provided care to all residents have been abolished. Newer approaches favor consistent (non-rotating) assignment of residents to care aides. In theory, consistent assignments foster closer, more intimate relationships between care aides and nursing home residents and facilitate familiarity between care aides and families of residents. This ethnographic study is a portrayal of care aides’ thoughts and feelings about their consistent assignments. Experiential data were collected from 22 care aides working in five nursing homes in a western Canadian city. The data were analyzed utilizing constant comparison to identify common themes. Care aides who were consistently assigned to residents described working without reference to each other. Some described losing contact with residents/families not assigned to them. Others described feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and confined by this mode of assignment and described a strong need for collegial fellowship and friendship. Experienced care aides stressed the importance of shared tasks, interchangeable tasks, and joint decisions, and indicated that a return to teamwork would help them to moderate or buffer the effects of stressful events and/or work environments.
Cassandra Warner Frieson
University of Alabama in Huntsville
USA
Title: Evidence-based Components of an Effective Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults and the Elderly
Time : 12:10-12:35
Biography:
Cassandra Warner Frieson, DNP, MSN, BSN, NP-C, FNP-BC has completed her doctoral studies from the University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing in Alabama. Professional memberships include United Who’s Who for empowering executives and professionals; Who’s Who among American Women; the National Association for Female Executives; and the Alabama Society of Health, Education, and Training. She has served as Speaker at various professional organizations. She currently practices at Long Term Care physician Services of Alabama, Inc. as a nurse practitioner for over 18 years. She is an Adjunct Faculty and published author.
Abstract:
Falls among the elderly aged 65 years and older can lead to serious injuries such as hip fractures, trauma-related hospital admissions, and even death. Falls can occur in various settings to include nursing homes, hospitals, and in the community. Fall risk assessments, pharmacy consultation and medication review, laboratory review to include vitamin D levels, Tai Chi exercises, and a comprehensive falls education program are primary factors to reduce fall rates. Although significant, an appreciable change in fall rates may still not occur. According to the literature, an estimated 90 million Americans will experience dizziness in their lifetime; dizziness can lead to loss of balance and falls. Health care professionals are often unaware of falls in patients with undiagnosed inner ear dysfunction when there is no prior injury or report of a recent fall. Therefore, the author, after in-depth research and consultation with fall prevention specialists,critically evaluated the need for an evidence-based protocol to include visual, vestibular, proprioception; as well as muscular and psychological components. The expanded protocol identifies individuals at-risk for falls as well as screen for those individuals who have not fallen and have not been identified as a fall risk. The author discusses in detail the protocol shift that not only focuses on remediation of falls but also fall prevention through medical diagnostics of balance and vestibular disorders, balance and vestibular rehabilitation training, sensory-processing techniques, and psychological screening for fear of falling.
Leslie Gillies
Norfolk General Hospital, Canada
Title: Sustainability of an innovation to support and respond to persons with behaviors related to Dementia and Delirium
Time : 12:35-13:00
Biography:
Leslie Gillies is Director of the Perioperative Services, Critical Care Program, Respiratory Therapy Service and Haldimand Norfolk Diabetes Program at Norfolk General Hospital, Simcoe Ontario, Canada. She completed her BScN at McMaster University and MEd (Administration) at Brock University. She serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University, School of Nursing since 1990 and previously worked at Hamilton Health Sciences as a Chief of Nursing and Chief of Interprofessional Practice
Abstract:
Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) in Dementia Care, a program designed for staff caring for patients in long term care who exhibit challenging behaviors was implemented and has been sustained in an acute care setting. Outcomes include fewer codes indicating violent situations, a reduction in physical restraint and sitter use, and fewer reports of safety incidents involving agitated patients. GPA in Dementia Care, a person-centered curriculum designed to improve staff confidence when working with patients who exhibit behavioral symptoms was successfully implemented in multiple acute care units and departments. This was the first time that this program, designed for long-term care, was implemented for staff in acute care setting across a large multi-site organization. Key factors that affected ability to sustain the program included adopting and adapting a previously well received, established curriculum (at present > 200,000 staff in settings in Canada have participated); relevance for staff, managers, other stakeholders, and senior leadership; engaging teams and groups to facilitate sustainability; involving leaders; integrating knowledge into policies; and pursuing sources of 1-time funding to demonstrate the benefit of dedicating operating funding to ongoing sustainability efforts. GPA is a tangible and effective intervention to support improvement of the patient experience in the acute care hospital setting.
Atul Sunny Luthra
Homewood Health Centre
Canada
Title: Workshop
Classification of behaviors in Dementia based in impairment in theories based upon information processing pathways
Time : 14:00-16:00
Biography:
A.S.Luthra is presently an associate clinical professor at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, in the faculty of health sciences, Department of Behavioural Neuroscience. He is also affiliated as a research scientist with the Research Institute for Aging, Schlegel, University of Waterloo, Ontario. He is currently working as medical coordinator in the Program for Older Adults at Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, Ontario. He is affiliated in the same capacity with the St. Peter's site of Hamilton Health Science, Hamilton, Ontario. His clinical and research focus is on developing safe pharmacological and affordable non-pharmacological treatment interventions for behaviors in moderate to advanced dementia.
Abstract:
Objectives: There is vast heterogeneity in use of terminology and classification of behaviors in dementia with no universally accepted classification system. Methods: Criteria proposed by Davis, Buckwalter and Burgio (1997) were identified as the basis for classification of behaviors in dementia. A review of the literature was done to identify the “Specification of the Theoretical Construct” (STC) to justify aggregation of similar behavioral symptoms into clinically meaningful categories. Results: STC identified for these behavioral categories are those based in theories on information processing (TIP). Two behavioral categories emanating from pathological changes in TIP are: Disorganized Behaviors (DOB), and Misidentification Behaviors (MiB). Discussion: DOB is the result of an alteration in the physiological status of the patient. This result in changes in arousal and attentiveness and this, in turn, leads to impairment of the sequential organization of information processing thereby giving way to fragmentation of the process at many different levels of the brain. MiB are the result of a specific breakdown in two specific steps of TIP; schema identification and pattern recognition. This result in the failure of the usual pairing of old and new information with an altered sense of relatedness between self and persons, places, objects and events.
Siyaram Pandey
University of Windsor, Canada
Title: Workshop
Water soluble Nano-miceller formulation of Ubisol Q10 halts progression of neurodegenerative diseases and cellular aging
Time : 16:15-17:00
Biography:
Siyaram Pandey is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Windsor. He received his MSc from Banaras Hindu University (1986),Varansi, India and his PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University/CCMB (1992), New Delhi,India. He did is postdoctoral training at McGill and joined NRC, Ottawa as a researchofficer (1993-2000). He joined the University of Windsor in 2000.
Abstract:
Risk of neurodegenerative diseases increase as we age. There has been an exponential increase in the number patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease as number of elderly increases. Although the etiological factors triggering AD and PD are very different, they ultimately bring about neuronal death which is, most likely, executed by a common mechanism(s). Currently, there are no effective treatments to halt the progression of these diseases and assist in their management. We have used cellular, and animal models (both rat and transgenic mice) of PD and AD to evaluate neuroprotective effects of water soluble Coq10. Recently we have reported unprecedented effectiveness of Ubisol-Q10,(US Patent No. 6,045,826, developed at NRC) at a very low dose of 6 mg/kg/day as an inhibitor of progressive Parkinsonian neurodegeneration in rodent models of disease. Oral intake of Ubisol-Q10 blocked the neurodegenerative processes activated by either MPTP or Paraquat. The formulation contains CoQ10 and PEG-α-tocopherol forming jointly water- soluble nanomicelles. We have confirmed bioavailability of this formulation in brain. A comprehensive behavioral analysis of transgenic animals fed with this formulation indicated significant improvement in motor activity in PD and long term memory and emotional reactivity in AD models compared to untreated animals. These results were complemented with histochemical analysis that indicated significant protection of neurons in substantia niagra region and lower amyloid beta burden in respective models. This treatment leads to the stabilization mitochondrial functions, decrease of oxidative stress in neuronal cells and triggers an increase in neurotrophic factors from surrounding supporting cells such as microglia and astroglial cells. Thus Ubisol Q10 could offers a treatment that could halt the progression of disease in AD and PD patients. This work was supported by CIHR and Michael J. Fox Foundation and a donation from Szecsei Family in Windsor
Purti Papneja
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, Canada
Title: Obstructive sleep apnea: A burden on the aging brain
Time : 17:00-17:25
Biography:
Purti Papneja is a Clinician Teacher and Lecturer at the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine. She received her MD from the McMaster University and completed her Family Medicine Training at the University of Toronto. She received Clinical Training in Sleep Medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences. Her practice in Sleep Medicine is focused on post-stroke patients at the North Toronto Sleep Center. She is an Active Staff and Post graduate Program Co-Director in Department of Family Medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences and involved in undergraduate medical education.
Abstract:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is now recognized as an important risk factor for stroke, cognitive impairment and dementia. Moreover, OSA is a common clinical outcome after stroke directly influencing the patient's recovery. This talk will review current evidence linking OSA with stroke and cognitive impairment. It will highlight the importance of early recognition and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in elderly patients especially during the post-stroke period to improve the neurological outcomes. In addition, physicians will learn about the novel approaches that have emerged in the last few years to treat OSA including Adaptive Servo ventilators and Nasal Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure device.
Swati Bajpai
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Title: Effectiveness of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention as an adjunct to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChE-I) treatment on patients with mild Alzheimer's disease: A preliminary study
Biography:
Swati Bajpai has completed her Post graduation in Clinical Psychology and currently pursuing PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology from All India Institute of Medical Science, 2013. (Development and Validation of Cognitive Rehabilitation Intervention (RECREATE) on Memory, Language, Attention and Quality of Life in Patients with Mild Alzheimer Disease.) Recently, she has been awarded Gandhi Scholar of the year 2015 for neuro-rehabilitation work and has 6 international publications. She has also worked as Psychologist in National Institute of Health (NIH) funded multi-centric project for 2 years and later worked as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in project entitled “Preclinical Predictors of progression of cognitive decline in MCI and AD Using a Multitasking paradigm.
Abstract:
Objective: To study the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation intervention as an adjunct to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChE-I) treatment as compared to AChE-I group alone in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. Method: Nine patients with mild Alzheimer's disease treated with Standard pharmacological treatment (‘cholinesterase inhibitors’ (Donezepil-10 mg and Rivastigmine-12 mg as capsule or 10 units as patches for more than two months) were randomly allocated to study group (n=5) and control group (n=4). All the patients in both the groups were pre and post assessed through cognitive tests which included remote memory, recent memory, attention/concentration, new learning ability and recognition ability along with activities of daily living scale, social support and quality of life domains. Institute ethical clearance was obtained and the informed written consent was taken from the patients. Results: Due to small sample size, median values between the groups were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test post intervention. Median values of MMSE [study group:19 (18 to 27); Control Group:15 (10 to 20)]; Remote Memory [Study group:-3.3 (-3.4 to 0.24); Control Group: -4.7 (-4.7 to -4.7)]; Simple Memory [Study group:-0.7 (-2.61 to 1.1); Control Group: -3.4 (-4.2 to -2.6)]; New learning ability [Study group:-0.7 (-1.1 to 0.07); Control Group: -1.2 (-1.52 to -0.23)]; Performance ability [Study group: 76 (20 to 126); Control group: 29 (26 to 124)]; IQ [study group:82 (56 to 139); Control group: 67 (57 to 117)]; Category fluency [Study group:10 (5 to 40); Control group: 5 (5 to 10)]; Social support [Study group: 57 (42 to 60); Control group: 55 (44 to 57)]; and Qol- Psychological domain [Study group: 0.54 (-3.39 to 1.92); Control group: -1.27 (-1.71to -0.76)] were higher in the study group as compared to the control group suggesting improvement in the above mentioned domains, however, statistically non significant (p=0.05). Similarly, post intervention, median values of ADLs [Study group: 30.9 (15 to 60); Control group: 7 (5 to 75)] were lower in the study group as compared to the control group indicating clinically significance, however statistically non-significant (p=0.05). Conclusion: The combined treatment group showed potential to positive treatment effect on cognitive/neuropsychological tests applied to patients suggesting that cognitive rehabilitation associated with AChE-I treatment can potentially be useful to stabilize or improve cognitive and functional performance of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease and can improve their quality of life. However, an adequate sample size is required to confirm it.
Biography:
Carnes received a B.S. in biology from the University of Utah in 1973. He received a M.S. in population biology from the University of Houston in 1975. He received an M.A. in statistics and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Kansas in 1980. He spent 19 years in the Biomedical Research Division as a staff scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. He then spent 4 years at the Center on Aging at the University of Chicago. In 2003, he was recruited to his current position at the Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Abstract:
Species are defined by biological criteria. This characterization, however, misses the most unique aspect of our species;namely, an ability to invent technologies that reduce mortality risks. Old animals are rare in nature, but survival to old age has become common place in humans. Science now asks how long can humans live, but we suggest a more appropriate question is: How long must humans live? Three lines of evidence are used to identify the biological equivalent of a warranty period for humans and why it exists. The effective end of reproduction, the age when the sex ratio is unity and the acceleration of mortality reveals that approximately 50–55 years is sufficient time for our species to achieve its biologicalmandate-Darwinian fitness. Identifying this boundary is biomedically important because it represents a transition from expected health and vigor to a period when health and vigor become progressively harder to maintain.
Rebecca Vargas-Jackson
George Mason University
USA
Title: Stigma, Discrimination, and Mental Disorders in Aging Populations
Biography:
Vargas-Jackson is a bi-lingual, bi-cultural physician and International and Health division lead at WRMA with nearly 30-years of working experience in the U.S. and overseas. She is also one of the lead designers and organizers in the proposed Center for Human Rights in Health at Howard University. She is currently affiliated with George Mason University, and has been affiliated with George Washington University at their Global Health division. Dr. Vargas–Jackson is an expert lecturer on Cultural Competence in Health Care, CLAS–Standards, health literacy and similar topics.
Abstract:
Stigma in the elderly is generally health related. The elderly may not be able to walk as fast as they did when they were young. Hearing decreases. Eye sight diminishes. Digestive problems are common. Teeth do not work at full capacity to complete a perfect mastication process; some seniors need to wear dentures. Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, are signs of a more sedentary life style, in addition to genetic and low health literacy skills related to healthy eating habits. HIV does not respect age. Finally, seniors may need to deal with mental and behavioral disorders while aging. Stigma in mental disorders can be extrapolated to all above mentioned health related issues. The World Health Organization recognized that the stigma and discrimination attached to mental disorders are strongly associated with suffering, disability and economic losses. Constant social, economic, cultural, technological and demographic changes have brought a series of challenges to the elderly population worldwide, which jeopardize their role in society. A Technical Consensus Statement to address this particular issue was produced in a collaborative, multidisciplinary way, involving several organizations such as: World Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization, Alzheimer’s disease International, and International Association of Gerontology. This technical consensus statement highlights the nature, causes and consequences of this stigmatization, and promotes and suggests policies, programs and actions to combat it. 2001 was the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the “Rights of the Mentally Ill to Protection and Care” by the United Nations General Assembly. 40% of member countries of the United Nations do not adhere to this policy. Additionally care for the elderly is not considered a priority in the majority of countries in the world. Stigma is a fact for the elderly population worldwide. Stigma remains a major obstacle to ensuring access to good care for older populations with mental disorders, and any kind of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Social stigma is the disapproval of a person because they do not fit the required social norms that are given in society. Stigma is typically a social process, experienced or anticipated, characterized by exclusion, rejection, blame or devaluation that result from experience, perception or reasonable anticipation of an adverse social judgment about a person or group. Elderly populations are heavily stigmatized. Unless we address stigma as the major gap in the system that prevents access to knowledge and services to the stigmatized aging population and take some global actions to eliminate it, there is going to be very little progress in health as a human right. The elderly are going to continue being a sector of the population isolated and unreachable by any kind of social or health related intervention.
Sylvia L.F. Pender
University of Southampton, UK
Title: The importance of immune response during healthy ageing
Biography:
Sylvia Pender has completed her PhD and postdoctoral studies at St Bartholomew School of Medicine University of London, She is the Associate Professor in Mucosal Immunology and the Associate Director International atthe University of Southampton. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at International Medical University in Malaysia. She has published more than 45 peer-reviewed papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of World Journal of Gastroenterology
Abstract:
Our body’s immune defense system deteriorates with time and as a result, one is more prone to have infections which induce systemic low grade inflammation in multiple organs. As such, ‘healthy’ ageing is accompanied by the development of age-related diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, scarcopenia and osteoporosis. The mechanisms by which successful ageing occurs is the preservation of a good population of functional immune and non-immune cells which are immunologically characterized by preserved lympho-proliferative responses and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, as well as conserved antigen presentation to delay or prevent age-related diseases. A decline in immune function with age is supported by many epidemiological and clinical observations, with a decrease in T-cell mediated function being responsible for a large part of this change. The pathophysiological mechanisms are only partially understood. Timp-3 is the natural inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). Timp-3 knock-out mice, in general, have low grade inflammation in the gut. We observed that the female animals die of wasting diseases at the age of ~50 weeks compared to age matched males and WT which remain healthy. The females only, show signs of premature ageing phenotypes. We hypothesise that low grade systemic inflammation accelerate senescence. In this presentation, we will discuss the role of NK cells, the immune components of the genetic knock-out Timp3 mice during ageing.
Girish J Kotwal
University of Massachusetts
USA
Title: Prompt management of Ageing based on disease risk analysis of Genotype and lifestyle can contribute to Longevity and improved health
Biography:
Girish J. Kotwal has completed his Ph.D in Biochemistry from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada and postdoctoral studies from National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. He has held academic appoints in the USA and elsewhere. He is the Adjunct Professor of Medicine at UMass, medical school and President of a biotech company involved in finding solutions to inflammatory CNS diseases. He is also president of a bioconsulting company. He has published more than 100 papers in high impact International journals, has had a dozen or more US and International patents, serves as an editorial board member of several high caliber journals and is member of seientific societies.
Abstract:
BACKGROND: At the beginning of this century, the sequence of the entire human genome has been determined, Subsequently the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) has been studied and the risk for diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease that occur in later years of life can be predicted by alleles that predisposes a person to ageing related diseases. APPROACH: DNA is isolated from Saliva and SNP analysis is performed for several specific disease related genes. The level of risk for predisposition to certain diseases which have been previously established was then determined and placed in the context of phenotypic findings RESULTS: SNP analysis of over 50 genes in a father and son pair was conducted and the results will be presented, CONCLUSION : Genes play a key role in Longevity and in gaining insights on how life style changes can over come gene defects and understanding the interplay of genes, one can better manage Ageing and reduce cost of hospitalization and falls that occur due to defective vision or balance.
Patricia A. Fletcher
Union Institute & University
USA
Title: The Cultural Meaning of the Wheelchair Symbol for the Aging Population
Biography:
Patricia A. Fletcher is a Ph.D.student in Interdisciplinary Studies – Public Policy and Social Change with an Aging Studies Specialization at Union Institute & University. She is a Credentialed Professional Gerontologist with a M.A. in Communications Arts, as well as a M.S. in Gerontology. She is the Founder of ElderCare Buddy, an assessment organization for older adults. Her involvement included social justice issues that globally affect the older population. She has served on various corporate boards and frequently guest lectures at national industry conferences addressing age-related issues.
Abstract:
The demographic shift of the aging population will affect all aspects of society. Therefore, it is important for this group to interpret the meaning of a symbol, which is critical in helping them improve hearing, vision, and literacy as the mobility-impaired individual increases. The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of the disability placard and plate artifact. Specially addressing, how this visual communication will help, older adults use signage to provide daily application and acceptance, and seeks to understand the cultural indicators that can affect the delivery of meaning. The negotiated artifact (Wenger, 1998, p.89) used to enhance a shared meaning among all age groups, making it easy to identify the symbol of the wheelchair. As it widens the range of meaning for placard/plate and demonstrates the necessity for the symbol. In fact, this community interaction is essential for creating policies that will help everyone improve the translation and acceptance of symbols in any language. This accommodation is a stored pictorial content found on license plates, maps, parking signs for designated spots, located outside a restroom needed to clarify instructions. This example of Wenger, 1998, p.107) standardization will show a wheelchair on every disability placard and plate, for a universal understanding of a policy that interprets someone needs of mobility assistance. The author explains the important for the public’s visual recognition and understanding of this symbol will lead to additional discoveries of how visual language can improve cognitive function with memory loss. Keywords: handicap, signs, disability placard, aging, elderly, wheelchair, international symbols, handicap, icon, mobility, visual literacy, pictograms, mobility
Biography:
Marios Kyriazis is an internationally known anti-aging physician, gerontologist and theorist on longevity. He has several medical or gerontological qualifications, and nearly 1000 articles, lectures, books and scientific papers about health and aging, both for scientists, physicians and the public. He is medical director of the ELPIs Foundation for Indefinite Lifespans which aims to develop ways to virtually abolish aging and age-related degeneration. He is also the founder of the British Longevity society, and affiliated with the Evolution, Complexity and Cognition group at the University of Brussels. He is a member of the Editorial Boar of several scientific peer-reviewed journals related to aging.
Abstract:
It is now well appreciated that the process of aging is related to a progressive reduction of biological functional complexity, which results in an increased probability of degeneration, illness, and eventual death. All aging organisms and organs display such a loss of complex function and the reasons are embedded in evolutionary strategies aiming to optimise survival. Recent research has unveiled the benefits of hormesis in delaying or reversing some of this age-related loss of function. It is now possible to retard the rate of loss of biological complexity by introducing an increased amount of nonlinear, repetitive external stimulation that challenges the organism and forces it to up-regulate its biological processes. Hormesis may exert a benefit based on a wide range of challenges such as physical, nutritional, mental, social, and biological stress. Examples of hormetic techniques include intermittent fasting, dietary restriction and calorie restriction mimetics, general environmental enrichment, cognitive and sense stimulation, sexuality-enhancing strategies, exposure to mild metabolic poisons, low or to high temperatures, exercise-mimetics, and other physicochemical challenges. These are based upon a dose-response phenomenon (low dose stimulation, high dose inhibition) which has been found in many studies to positively influence several signalling pathways or biological control mechanisms. Therefore, it is possible to offer specific practical suggestions which can be applied in everyday life, and are based upon solid science, in order to ameliorate age-related degeneration and reduce the impact of disease.
Vered Raz
Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Title: Studying onset and progression of molecular aging in RNA expression profiles
Biography:
V. Raz has completed her PhD at the Weizmann institute of Science in Israel and followed postdoctoral studies in Penn University, Philadelphia, US and Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands, where she is leading a multi-disciplinary research group focusing on muscle aging. She has published more than 25 papers inpeer-reviewed journals.She received several recognitions for her research including
Abstract:
Genome-wide expression profiles are altered during biological aging and can describe an age-associated molecular regulation of tissue degeneration. Using a time-dependent regression models in transcriptome datasets we can extract onset and progression of aging. Currently, onset and progression of aging in humans is poorly understood. We developed a novel methodology to study the progression of molecular aging by studying age-associated trends of RNA expression profiles. The methodology is robust and overcomes technical variations between datasets. Moreover, with this methodology the critical age from which most changes initiate can be extracted. By analyzing 8 independent cross-sectional transcriptome studies from various human tissues, we show that molecular aging is significant in only a subset of tissues while others are spared. Within the tissues with significant molecular aging, the earlier critical age, at the forth decade, was found in skeletal muscles and brain cortex, whereas in blood and kidney cortex a critical age is found only at the sixth decade. Moreover, molecular signatures also differ between tissues. Our data suggests that the complex architecture of molecular aging in humans is in part owed to the initially affected molecular pathways differ between tissues and different progression between tissues.
Sunil Godse
Radical Solutions Group
Canada
Title: Tele-Health Use in Long Term Care Facilities = Drastic Reduction in Wait Times for Specialists
Biography:
Sunil brings over 20 years of experience as a business mentor to a large number of firms ranging from start-ups to multinational organization in a variety of industries. He provides firms with sound advice, giving them the proper tools and techniques to overcome their business challenges. His highly sought after palette of services has always resulted in increased satisfaction, better productivity and stronger growth for every client he mentors. Sunil has an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business as well as a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Manitoba. He has served as board member, mentor and advisor to a number of business and social ventures.
Abstract:
It is no secret that access to medical specialists for residents of long term care facilities require a painfully long wait. Worse, the further deterioration of a resident’s medical condition is often coupled with a deleterious psychological effect because of this queue, affecting the patient and the family and the health professionals working in the long term care facility. Using Ministry of Health and Long Term Care-approved equipment supplied by Ontario Telemedicine Network, eCare Partners Inc. has undergone a pilot project demonstrating the effectiveness of using a tele-health system in a number of Ontario long term care facilities. This study demonstrates that using this system has many benefits. Primarily, it will significantly reduce the wait time for specialists required for the appropriate medical care. It curtails the worsening of the medical condition and preventsthe onset of secondary medical issues. The resident’s family benefits from a reduction in stress. The long term care facility greatly benefits from healthier residents and more content staff, positively impacting its overall culture. Finally, the overall medical system benefits from a vast reduction in unnecessary visits to walk-in clinics, urgent care facilities, or hospital emergency departments,triggering a reduction in unnecessary referrals. Clearly, using a tele-health system for long term facilities presents significant benefits, both direct and indirect.
Biography:
Sara Clemens is currently completing her PhD at University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. She has previously served as a Director of Nursing and Personal Care, Director of Nursing and Health Policy at the Registered Nurse’s Association of Ontario and Nursing Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Recently, Sara participated as an expert advisor to the Ontario Seniors’Secretariat in the development of their Retirement Home Regulations
Abstract:
Recently, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) funded a systematic review of long-term care (LTC) that concluded “future Canadian research exploring the relationship between nurse staffing and outcomes in LTC settings is an urgent priority.” This research study seeks to understand this relationship in the Ontario context by employing a rigorous mixed-methods research design. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study of Ontario’s LTC population will be conducted first, using hierarchical linear regression to determine the relationship between four home-level nursing and personal care staffing characteristics and four resident-level risk-adjusted nursing and personal care sensitive quality indicators. The four home-level nursing and personal care staffing characteristics used in this study are staffing level, staff mix, skills and competencies as well as roles and responsibilities. The four resident-level quality indicators, obtained from a province-wide Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAI MDS) are incidents of pain, falls, incontinence and pressure ulcers. A subsequent qualitative case study of Ontario’s five highest and five lowest performing LTCHs will provide insights into how LTCHs may successfully modify nursing and personal care staffing characteristics to best meet the ever-increasing and complex care needs of LTC residents.
Hady Khaddaj Mallat
University of Sherbrooke, Canada
Title: Risk factors affecting elderly people in outdoor daily life activities: A review
Biography:
Hady Khaddaj Mallat is currently a research student in the faculty of Sciences at the University of Sherbrooke. His research interests are Gerontology, Assistive Technology for Elderly People, and Ambient Intelligence & Smart Environment
Abstract:
Elderly people are a demographic sector which has been rapidly increasing during recent years in most countries. In this paper, a risk represents the probability of an unwanted event or danger situation which may occur and cause a possible loss, injury or other unwelcome circumstance, and an outdoor environment is considered to be outside home or any open-air ambience. In this review, we list and describe risk factors that affect elderly people in outdoor environments and that may occur during their outdoor daily activities such as fall, wandering, health issues, etc. Our goal is to help readers to better understanding the risk management and intervention which consequently improves the quality of life for elderly people. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review about major risks that affect elderly people in outdoor environments.