ASSESSMENT OF THE GERIATRIC PATIENT—A PHARMACOLOGIC AND PHYSIOLOGIC APPROACH

This one-day hour seminar provides an in-depth discussion of essential aspects of the assessment of the geriatric patient. Physiologic changes with aging are correlated with physical assessment findings as well as side effects of common drugs used in the aging population. An emphasis on neurologic function includes peripheral neuropathies, dementia and delirium, movement disorders and the special senses. Type 2 diabetes and thy­roid dysfunction are covered in the Endocrine System. Reproductive changes are gender specific and include causes of erectile dysfunction in the male and menopausal changes in the female. Cardiovascular diseases include coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis as well as hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Respiratory function briefly covers COPD and other age related conditions. The effect of NSAIDS in the GI system is emphasized as are the common causes of constipation in the eld­erly population. The effect of a decreased glomerular filtration rate and drug excretion is correlated with side effects and drug toxicity. This lec­ture is a must for anyone working with Geriatric patients.