• GERIATRICS

    Capacity and Competence 

    OVERVIEW PRESUMPTION OF COMPETENCE ELEMENTS REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE COMPETENCE DETERMINING COMPETENCE 1. What is your present physical condition?2. What is the treatment being recommended for you?3. What do you and the doctor think will happen to you if you decide to accept treatment?4. What do you and your doctor think…

  • GERIATRICS,  NEUROLOGY

    Delirium

    1. Acute Onset with Fluctuating Course 2. Transient Disturbance of Consciousness 3. Confusion or Disorganized Thinking 4. Altered Level of Consciousness 5. Disturbed Sleep/Wake Cycle 6. Altered Psychomotor Activity 7. Perceptual Disturbances 8. Disorientation 9. Memory Impairment Common causes include (multiple often): DDx Delirium Demetia Psychosis Onset Sudden slow onset…

  • GERIATRICS

    Dementia

    Common types Differentials of dementia Modifiable protective and risk factors for dementia Protective factors for dementia: Strengthening, building cognitive reserve Early life – Healthy pregnancy– Secure home environment– Good diet– Good hearing and language acquisition– Strong development and engagement in education and learning Middle and later life Social and cultural…

  • GERIATRICS

    Deprescribing medications

    Deprescribing medications in the elderly involves a comprehensive approach that considers the overall health status, life expectancy, and goals of care for each patient. The process typically includes identifying potentially inappropriate, unnecessary, or harmful medications and planning deprescribing with the patient’s consent and involvement. Common classes of drugs that are…

  • GERIATRICS

    Elder abuse

    Research on Elder Abuse State-Specific Responses Protocols and Current Case Management Definition of Elder Abuse Categories of Elder Abuse General behaviour Being afraid of one or many person/sIrritable or easily upsetWorried or anxious for no obvious reasonDepressed, apathetic or withdrawnChange in sleep patterns and/or eating habitsRigid posture and avoiding contactAvoiding…

  • GERIATRICS

    Elderly – Non-pharm approach

    Dementia and Cognitive Decline Stage Non-Pharmacological Approaches Evidence-Based Benefits Mild to Moderate Cognitive Decline Cognitive Stimulation Therapy – Group activities designed to improve cognitive function and social interaction.– Sessions involve games, discussions, and problem-solving tasks. – Improvements in cognitive function and quality of life (Woods et al., 2012). Physical Exercise…

  • GERIATRICS

    Falls

    Epidemiology Causes Differentials for Falls 1. Mechanical Falls (Extrinsic Factors): 2. Non-Mechanical Falls (Intrinsic or Medical Causes): Neurological Causes: Cardiovascular Causes: Metabolic Causes: Vestibular Causes: Musculoskeletal Causes: Medications: Psychiatric Causes: Risk Factors for Falls: Screening and Evaluation for Fall Risk: Get Up and Go Test Test Procedure: Timing Interpretation: Factors…

  • GERIATRICS

    Palliation

    https://www.cec.health.nsw.gov.au/improve-quality/teamwork-culture-pcc/person-centred-care/end-of-life/last-days-of-life palliative care – there are 2 major issues to be discusses, working out a plan with the patient and symptom control. Breaking Bad News Determine goals for care Treatment of Symptoms: Symptom Non-Pharmacological Pharmacological Distressing shortness of breath at rest PositioningReassurance If hypoxic: Seek local guidance on safe oxygen…

  • GERIATRICS

    Pill burden

    Medication Review  suggest: Anticholinergic burden  Antipsychotics Higher anticholinergic effects Lower anticholinergic effects chlorpromazineclozapinetrifluoperazine haloperidollithium carbonateolanzapineprochlorperazinequetiapinerisperidone Antidepressants Higher anticholinergic effects Lower anticholinergic effects amitriptylineclomipraminedothiepindoxepinimipraminenortriptyline citalopramfluoxetinefluvoxaminemirtazapineparoxetine Bladder antispasmodics Higher anticholinergic effects darifenacin*oxybutyninpropanthelinesolifenacin*tolterodine* Antihistamines Higher anticholinergic effects Lower anticholinergic effects cyproheptadinepromethazine cetirizinefexofenadineloratadine Opioids Higher anticholinergic effects Lower anticholinergic effects Tapentadol codeinefentanylmethadonemorphineoxycodonetramadol Inhaled medicines…

  • GERIATRICS

    Urinary Incontinence

    Types of Urinary Incontinence Low Pressure Urethra (Type 3) Overflow Incontinence (urinary retention) Urge Incontinence (Overly sensitive bladder) Stress Incontinence (Loss of pelvic support at urethra) Functional Incontinence Differential Diagnosis: (Mneumonic: “DIAPPERS”) Exam Evaluation   Management: General