Gerontology

Understanding and Treating Pain in the Elderly

Understanding and Treating Pain in the Elderly – MM1606

Painful conditions are among the most common reasons for older people to present for medical attention. Pain is not a normal part of ageing; its high prevalence in older people is secondary to the burden of pathology. A person’s response to analgesics is variable, with many being poor or non-responders.

Ineffective or poorly tolerated analgesics should be withdrawn before another medication is trialled. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended when usual approaches have failed as no single therapy has been shown to alleviate persistent pain in most patients.

Modern Medicine – June 2016

June 30, 2016 by Geriantology Gerontology Pain

Diabetes Management in Aged Care Facilities | Meeting the Challenges

Diabetes Management in Aged Care Facilities | Meeting the Challenges – MM1606

Diabetes is a common disease that GPs will encounter in patients in institutional care, particularly residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Elderly patients with diabetes benefit from a team approach to management.
The approach to diabetes management should be tailored to each individual patient. Institutions are not all the same: in-house staffing, supports and services vary and need to be well understood to manage chronic diseases effectively. In elderly people with a short life expectancy, excessively tight diabetes control is not recommended. De-prescribing can be difficult but should be considered for every older person with diabetes in institutional care.

Modern Medicine – June 2016

June 30, 2016 by Diabetes Geriantology Gerontology

Diabetes as the Years Progress: How Does Management Differ?

Diabetes as the Years Progress: How Does Management Differ? – MM1502

It is important to recognise the various functional, medical and social issues that the elderly population with diabetes face and to use the expertise of multiple disciplines to deliver a safe and effective management plan, which needs to be as simple to follow as possible.

Modern Medicine – February 2015

February 24, 2015 by Diabetes Endocrinology Gerontology

Preventing Falls and Fall-related Injury in Older People: How GPs can Help

Preventing Falls and Fall-related Injury in Older People – How GPs can Help – MM1303

Falls and fall-related injury are common in older people, with some events having a direct impact on the person’s ability to function and live independently. There is good evidence that falls and fall-related injury can be prevented, and GPs have a key role in screening, assessment and implementing effective intervention strategies.

Modern Medicine – March 2013

April 24, 2013 by Gerontology

Stroke in the Elderly: Predictable, Preventable and Treatable

Stroke in the Elderly – Predictable Preventable and Treatable – MM1302

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, with
most of the disease burden falling to the elderly and the very elderly.
Effective treatments are available for acute management and for
primary and secondary prevention of stroke. GPs are particularly
well placed for identifying at-risk patients and for initiating ‘triple
therapy’ of aspirin, a high-dose statin and blood pressure lowering
therapy.

Modern Medicine – February 2013

February 14, 2013 by Gerontology Stroke
Verified by ExactMetrics