Conference Focuses on Five Core Geriatric Care Problems

Falling, confusion, incontinence, homeostatic disturbance and iatrogenic illness are the five core geriatric care problems that will be the focus of the 16th annual Selenia E. and Joseph C. Valley, Sr. Conference, sponsored by The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston’s Center on Aging, Friday, Sept. 13, at the Radisson Hotel Astrodome Convention Center.

The one-day conference, "Managing Clinical Problems of Older Adults Across Care Settings," is a collaborative effort with The Methodist Hospital and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.

Since older people represent the largest number of patients seen in hospitals, home health agencies, assisted living and nursing home facilities, the program is aimed at care providers in community, acute and long-term care settings, including personal care, foster care and nursing homes; assisted living facilities; home care settings; general health care professionals; and family caregivers.

"Because older people have less reserve to deal with new health problems, it is important that health professionals working with them in all settings understand how something that might be considered minor for a younger person, such as a urinary tract infection, can set up a spiral of negative consequences for an older person," says Sharon K. Ostwald, Ph.D., director of the UT-Houston Center on Aging.

The conference goal is to help health care providers and family caregivers gain a deeper understanding of the complex challenges associated with geriatric care management. Individual presentations will highlight both common and interrelated care issues.

Conference participants will have an opportunity to learn more about:

• The interrelated clinical challenges of the core geriatric care components;
• assessment and management of urinary incontinence;
• identification/assessment of predisposing factors for falling, and prevention strategies;
• the primary principles of altered pharmacodynamics and barriers to drug compliance;
• the concepts of a geriatric interdisciplinary team approach to patient care;
• the clinical features of delirium, dementia and depression, and strategies to relieve, prevent and improve symptoms;
• the concept of impaired homeostasis and the contributing factors for altered disease presentation; and
• discharge care planning to meet individual patients’ specific needs.

The program has been approved for continuing education requirements in nursing (6.0 credits Type I) and social work (.5 credit). Program approval for 5.0 continuing education clock hours in long-term care administration from NAB/NCERS is pending. A general certificate of attendance will be available for individuals from other disciplines.

On-site registration fees are $75 per person, groups of two or more from same the facility are $65 per person. Early birds registering before Aug. 30 are $60 per individual and $50 per group, and the special student rate is $40. Ten full scholarships are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants/Personal Care Assistants.

For information, contact Anke Runge at (713) 500-3778, or Anke.S.Runge@uth.tmc.edu.

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