Biography:

Professor Emeritus Garth L. Nicolson is the Founder, President, Chief Scientific Officer and Professor Emeritus of Molecular Pathology at the Institute for Molecular Medicine in Huntington Beach, California. He was formally the David Bruton Jr Chair in Cancer Research and Professor and Chairman at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and he was Professor of Internal Medicine and Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He has published over 650 medical and scientific papers, including editing 20 books, and has served on the Editorial Boards of 30 medical and scientific journals and was Senior Editor of four. Professor Nicolson has won many awards, such as the Burroughs Welcome Medal, Royal Society of Medicine (United Kingdom), Stephen Paget Award, Metastasis Research Society, U.S. National Cancer Institute Outstanding Investigator Award, and the Innovative Medicine Award, Canada. He is also a Colonel (O6, Honorary), U.S. Army Special Forces and a U.S. Navy SEAL (Honorary) for his work on Armed Forces and veterans’ illnesses.

Abstract:

Loss of function of mitochondria, the key cell organelle responsible for approximately 90% of cellular energy production, can result in cell death, excess fatigue, pain, and other symptoms that are common problems in almost if not all age-related chronic diseases as well as advanced age. These diseases include neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurobehavioral and psychiatric diseases, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal diseases, fatiguing illnesses, cancer and chronic infections, among others.  The mitochondrial function also declines in advanced age. At the molecular level reductions in mitochondrial function occur when there is a loss of mitochondrial maintenance of inner membrane trans-membrane potential due to oxidative damage by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) as well as loss of critical mitochondrial co-factors, resulting in reduced efficiency of the electron transport chain and less generation of ATP.  Membrane Lipid Replacement (MLR) using an all-natural nutritional supplement mixture containing membrane glycerolphospholipids can be used to repair mitochondrial inner membrane damage, improve inner mitochondrial membrane trans-membrane potential and mitochondrial function, reverse ROS damage and increase the efficiency of the electron transport chain.  Recent clinical trials have shown the benefits of MLR in enhancing mitochondrial function, reducing fatigue, pain, and other symptoms while improving mood and cognition.  For example, mitochondrial function and inner membrane trans-membrane potential have been enhanced by 25-35%, resulting in decreases in fatigue by 35-45% in aging chronically ill patients in clinical trials.  MLR has also been used to reduce the adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy and improve symptoms other than fatigue in chronic illness patients.

Biography:

Lisa Kaufman, MS, CMC, CTRS, EOLD is a certified Aging Life Care Manager™, and most recently, a trained End of Life Doula. She has owned and operated SeniorCare Options since 2001, and she is an active member of the Aging Life Care Association™, and is one of only a handful of certified care managers in Georgia.  In addition to her degrees and national certifications in her fields, Lisa’s credentials include being a certified Positive Approach To Care™ Consultant and Trainer, and a certification in Therapeutic Recreation Program Development for Dementia Patients.  She is a Past-President of the ALCA™ South Eastern Chapter and is the only Fellow / Certified member of ALCA™ in Georgia.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Successful Aging is a growing challenge for the rising geriatric population. As the number of seniors soars, the technology and advances in medicine further add to the longevity of our aging population. However, access to resources and advocacy is scarce for this segment of the population and confusion abounds. This presentation is to demonstrate the benefit of advocacy for clients and their families. Using case studies to illustrate the scope and skills set of Aging Life Care Managers, this presentation aims to educate the audience as to the role and expertise of the ALCM™; as well as give real life examples of the care plan development, implementation, and the positive effects the client experiences by having an advocate manage their medical and aging care needs. Positive outcomes will be demonstrated in the course of the presentation, and the workflow cycle will be shown to address the reassessment process to mitigate problems experiences due the fragmented nature of healthcare America today.

Biography:

Lowenstein is reputed as a leading national and international expert in aging. She was past chair, European Behavioral, Social Science & Research Section - International Ass. of Gerontology; served for 5 years as Chair, Israeli Gerontological Society, from whom she received a prize for life achievement. She is an Honorary Fellow of GSA; Has been a board member of Intl Federation on Aging (IFA); Board member of Intl Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)., from whom she received the Rosali Wolf Award; board member & co-chair, Elder Abuse team in NICE, Univ. of Toronto, Canada. Invited as an expert evaluator for research proposals Framework 7, the European Commission.

Abstract:

Statement: Knowledge transfer is the main goal of NICE - National Initiative for Care of the Elderly in Canada. Although at first, it was a local initiative, it changed in 2007 when international members from nine countries were added to this network, including Israel. Knowledge Transfer aims to close gaps between evidence-based research and actual practice. NICE operates through a network of Theme Teams and “Elder Abuse” is one of them. The Elder Abuse team reviewed the evidenced-based literature to develop user-friendly tools for detection and prevention of elder abuse. A brief tool - the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI), developed in Canada by Yaffe et al. (2006), was one of the tools selected. This tool is for physicians’ use to improve identification of elder abuse and neglect. As an international partner, my goal was to transfer this knowledge, validate and adapt the EASI tool for use in Israel by physicians, in hospitals and in community health clinics.

 

Method: The process was divided into three phases: (a) Translating the tool from English to Hebrew and back translation, by two physicians (b)Activating two focus groups, one an interdisciplinary group in a large hospital; the second a group of physicians at a community health clinic in Northern Israel (c) Administering the tool to older patients.

 

Results: Some difficulties were encountered related to cultural differences between Canada and Israel and differences in the two health systems; the physicians' reluctance to deal with elder abuse issues; disagreement about the definition of elder abuse. However, on the whole, it was adopted by them.

 

Conclusion: The International knowledge transfer process is complicated but challenging. Cultural differences must be considered, as they might impact the process.