7th annual Lecture on Aging held
Posted: April 1, 2011[cincopa AAKAThKQbqV9]
A.T. Still University’s Committee on Aging hosted its 7th annual Lecture on Aging on April 1 to enhance healthcare providers’ understanding of the challenges associated with Alzheimer’s disease and share current concepts related to diagnosis and patient care. The lecture, “Meeting the challenge of Alzheimer’s: Current concepts in diagnosis and care,” featured speakers from the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute (BAI) in Phoenix, Ariz., and was held on the Arizona campus with simultaneous videoconferencing on the Kirksville, Mo., campus.
BAI is a leading international source for Alzheimer’s disease prevention and care. The world-class team focuses on treatment, prevention, research and support for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. ATSU faculty, staff, and students heard presentations from BAI speakers Roy Yaari, M.D., MAS, associate director, Memory Disorders Clinic, and Helle Brand, P.A., Memory Disorders Clinic.
In his presentation, “Diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Yaari explained that “Dementia is a general term applied to cognitive disorders of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most widely known type.” He discussed the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease; the key elements to diagnosing Alzheimer’s; and drugs currently used to treat the disease. Dr. Yaari stressed that it is important to note that these drugs slow down the progression of the disease but are not curative.
Brand addressed the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and the key issues associated with early, moderate, and late stages of the disease. “In each of these stages, it is important to recognize the impact of the disease on caregivers and offer support and understanding,” said Brand.
“ATSU was honored to partner with BAI for this lecture,” said Elton Bordenave, M.Ed., director of the ATSU Aging Project for the Arizona campus. “We plan on future collaborative projects with BAI and other community organizations to enhance our student, faculty, and staff’s awareness of issues affecting the elderly.”