Geriatric psychiatry conference addresses dementia, polypharmacy, depression

As our aging population continues to increase, health care providers and patient caregivers must be prepared to address the prevalent mental health issues that seniors experience like dementia and late-life depression.

Elderly patients with behavioral health conditions often present unique and complex challenges, requiring integrated care delivered by specialized and trained professionals.

To help, the The 10th annual “Psychiatry Update: New Horizons in Geriatric Psychiatry,” will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Conference Room, 6411 Fannin.

This symposium will provide a comprehensive guide of the most recent advances in research and clinical practice in the field of geriatric psychiatry. Topics focus on dementia and late-life depression, as well as the impact of caregiver burden on illness outcomes, practical strategies to prevent caregiver burnout, and the assessment and intervention of abused or mistreated elders.

Expert clinicians and researchers from multiple institutions and specialties, including psychiatry, neurology, and gerontology, will offer interdisciplinary perspectives and insights into geriatric mental health care. This valuable knowledge will improve and enhance the mental health treatment and overall health care of older adults in the Houston community.

CME/CE credit (7.0 hours) are available for physicians, psychologists, nurses and social workers.