Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Garth L. Nicolson
The Institute for Molecular Medicine, USA
Keynote: Membrane lipid replacement for enhancing mitochondrial function and improving fatigue, pain and other symptoms in aging patients
Time : 10:00- 10:45
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.
Keynote Forum
Lisa Kaufman
SeniorCare Options, USA
Keynote: Aging Life Care Managers: Case Studies in Success
Time : 11:00-11:45
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.
Keynote Forum
Ariela Lowenstein
University of Haifa, Israel
Keynote: International knowledge transfer between Canada and Israel validation of the EASI tool
Time : 11:45-12:30
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.
- Aging Care Management | Aged Care Services |Aging and Geriatrics
Chair
Garth L. Nicolson
The Institute for Molecular Medicine, USA
Co-Chair
Ping Song
Georgia State University, USA
Session Introduction
Amy K Chesser
Wichita State University, USA
Title: Assessing health literacy and stroke symptomatology in older adults
Biography:
Dr Chesser teaches courses in aging over the life span, including AGE 525/825 (Death and Dying), AGE798 (Interprofessional Perspectives on Aging), AGE 517 (Health Communication and Aging) and various graduate courses in aging studies. Her primary research interests are health communication, health literacy, and older adults. She has designed, implemented, and evaluated programs to promote healthier populations through health communication campaigns, and created risk communication training and exercises. She is currently interested in how health communication and media campaigns affect public health issues including the underserved populations. She also serves on the Advisory Board for Health Literacy Kansas.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Stroke in the Elderly: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability with approximately 795,000 strokes occurring in the United States each year, with nearly 75 percent of all strokes occurring in those 65 years and older. Multiple studies suggest that stroke treatment is delayed due to the failure of symptom recognition by the patient, family, or general bystanders with approximately 60% of stroke-related deaths occur outside the hospital setting. Compounding this problem is the fact that many stroke patients are still being transported by private vehicle instead of a 911 activation, further delaying treatment. Additionally, low health literacy continues to be a significant problem for persons over age 65.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The purpose of our research was to provide support for a multi-disciplinary approach to stroke education and prevention. Through this research project, the study team implemented an experimentally-designed knowledge and opinions pre- and post-test and six weeks follow up assessment. The study participants included three, separate groups in three study phases: 1) staff and team members at a community senior center, 2) older adults (age 65 and older) living at the senior center, and 3) family members or caretakers of older adults. This was an experimental design, feasibility/pilot study using a convenience sample of participants from a Midwest senior living community.
Findings: Findings from this study are pending until data collection is complete in May of 2018. Conclusion & Significance: We hypothesize that multilevel education and training in an older adult living community will increase positive behavior attributes for contacting emergency services in the event of a possible stroke.
Biography:
Jacqulin Myles has been a nurse educator for over 12 years, and is currently a nursing professor at Keiser University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from New York University, Master of Science in nursing degree from University of Phoenix, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Educational Leadership from American Sentinel University. She was a geriatric scholar while attending New York University and has worked in clinical areas including long-term care, medical-surgical, and the acute care for the elderly (ACE) unit. For many years Dr. Myles observed the attitudes of health care professionals toward older adults and the role attitudes play in achieving best patient outcomes. As a Certified Nurse Educator, she is dedicated to advocating and enhancing the care of the geriatric population. Her primary area of research has focused on interventions to enhance and improve quality of care for older adults.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: The preparation of nurses to care for the aging population is one of the major challenges for nursing education leaders. Improving student nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards older adults is one way to provide adequate care.
The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-post-test pilot project, was to analyze the effects of using low-fidelity, role-play simulation in nursing education during a Fundamentals of Nursing laboratory at a private college in South Florida.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The Kolb Experiential Learning Theory was the conceptual framework for the project. A convenience sample of 25 first-year, associate degree in nursing students (ADN) registered in the Fundamentals of Nursing course at a private college in South Florida were recruited for the project. A total of 23 nursing students participated in the study. Kogan’s Attitudes towards Old People Scale (KAOP) used as pretest and posttests, and a demographic questionnaire was administered. The pretest was conducted before the role-play simulation activity, and the posttest was completed one week post the role-play simulation activity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic information. Scores from the pretests and posttests were evaluated using the matched-pairs t-test and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranked test to obtain means and standard deviation.
Conclusion & Significance Students’ attitudes toward older individuals significantly improved (P<.002) after the role-play simulation experience.
Recommendations are made to support the credence that instructive interventions are critical to creating awareness of age-related issues and evidence-based practice in caring for older adults.
Omotayo Omotowa
Idaho State University, USA
Title: Staffing standards and care outcomes in for-profit and not-for-profit religious-based nursing homes
Biography:
Dr. Omotayo Omotowa is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Idaho State University (ISU) School of Nursing. Dr. Omotowa is particularly interested in the care of the older adults and staffing standards/levels in nursing homes and public health policy. Dr. Omotowa has served in the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program advisory committee and continues to serve as a member of geriatric symposium planning and health fair planning committees at Idaho State University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and did serve as the Governance Chair for the Theta Upsilon Chapter. Dr. Omotowa received her BSN from Lewis Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho and MSN and PhD from Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to her nursing education, she received her BSc Political Science from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, Masters in Public Administration from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and MA in Political Science from the University of Idaho.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Frail and vulnerable older adults residing in nursing homes (NHs) continue to experience poor care outcomes due to nurse staffing levels that are below the levels required for maintaining their well-being. Inadequate licensed nurses staffing hours are detrimental to the residents’ quality and safe outcomes. Studies have shown that care outcomes in nursing homes are related to registered and licensed nurse staffing standards/levels, which are affected by profit maximization. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare if there was a relationship between adherence to nurse staffing standards and resident care outcomes in for-profit (FP) and not-for-profit religious-based (NFPRB) NHs using profit maximization theory. I examined the impact of profit maximization on adherence to staffing standards and nurse sensitive care outcomes.
Methodology: A quantitative correlational approach was employed. Information was collected from government public database and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, nonparametric tests, and binary logistic regression.
Findings: Profit measures were not related to staffing standards and care outcomes in the NFPRB. Significant relationships were found between profits measures and staffing standards in the FP NHs. Profits measures were negatively related to care outcomes in the two NHs. And, there were increased mean of ranks for care outcomes and profits when staffing standards were violated. Unlike the FP NHs, no statistically significant relationships were found between registered and licensed staffing standards and care outcomes in the NFPRB NHs.
Conclusion and Significance: The study results can serve as an advocacy instrument for the vulnerable NHs residents, enhance the evidence base for NHs staffing policy making, and positively impact the cost of healthcare. Recommendations: Further research, longitudinal, qualitative, or mixed methodologies, is needed to study the effects of profit measures on NHs staffing and care outcomes.
Biography:
Dr. Edward Luce is a professor of plastic surgery at the University of Tennessee. His past positions include chairman of plastic surgery at the University of Kentucky and Case – Western Reserve. Offices held include the chairman of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the organization that grants board certification, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), American Society of Maxillo-Facial Surgeons (ASMS) as well as the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons (ACAPS). Dr. Luce is in active practice in Memphis, TN.
Abstract:
Considerable emphasis has been placed contemporaneously on quality control in medical care and, more specifically, on physician maintenance of professional competence. Inevitably, this emphasis will focus on the aging physician in general and the surgeon in particular. The important question must be posed: When should surgeons retire? The obvious answer is when loss of competency occurs, but how is that loss determined?
The presentation will summarize the relatively little data available, give the results of a focused survey of 21 senior surgeons (average age 71), draw parallels between the aviation industry, and offer some recommendations for further study.
Sonya Dunbar
Mobile Dental Xpress Wellness and Nutrition, USA
Title: How dirty teeth and tongues are killing our geriatric population
Biography:
Sonya Dunbar, also known as the Geriatric Toothfairy is a Registered Dental Hygienist she has and over 25 years of dental experience in private practice, skilled nursing facilities, academia and marketing and has proudly served her country in the United States Navy. For the last 15 years, she worked in long-term care facilities both as a Dental Hygienist providing clinical treatment and as a staff trainer providing in-services and hands on training to the staff and we cannot forget her very entertaining seminars packed with valuable information on Geriatric oral care. That experience has afforded her the opportunity to learn the concerns, desires, needs and expectations of patients and their families as well as those of facility staff and administration. Her experience also created a desire in her to do things better to improve the quality of care and level of customer service provided to residents, staff and administration of long-term care facilities.
Abstract:
In my 15 plus years working as a dental hygienist in long term care facilities, I have seen the most reprehensible oral care imaginable. I have witnessed dentures that had not been removed or cleaned in years. I have seen tube-fed residents who had not had their teeth brushed in months because of the staff’s failure to see the necessity of providing oral homecare. I recently treated a patient who had so much tartar build up on his lower anterior teeth that he could not close his mouth or properly chew his food. I have listened to the countless, heart-wrenching accounts of elders so embarrassed by their dental condition that they were ashamed to smile or even let me examine their mouths. Dental health plays a significant role in mental and emotional health and well-being. Therefore, caregiver provision of proper oral homecare helps maintain the dignity of the geriatric community.
Whether the neglect is due to caregivers’ lack of knowledge or lack of compassion, the result is detrimental to the systemic health of the elderly. Uncontrolled oral bacteria can lead to pneumonia, diabetes, strokes, and heart attacks. It has even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Frequently, cognitive impairment intensifies preexisting oral problems. For instance, elders with Alzheimer’s typically have poor oral care and a higher incidence of oral diseases.
The most deplorable aspect of this situation is the fact that it is readily preventable. The quality of life and systemic health of residents in long term care facilities can be significantly improved by simple, consistent, and effective oral care practices.
Biography:
Swami Brahmaparananda Saraswati has been mentor and leader in Arshavidya Tirtha, Jaipur, India. He has been working for two decades to combine Indian spirituality with modern world. Social reform and spreading the true sense of Indian spirituality, religion and ethics given a prominent place in his aims and he specific activiities for elderly, children and families. He has been co-authored in international collaborative research studies and published several books.
Abstract:
A number of studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of religion and spirituality, but these have typically been uncontrolled, often focused on patients, and usually concerned with one or a limited number of areas of impact. Arsha Vidya programs are accessible to communities around the country, in urban and rural areas alike, making feasible to follow.
Present study assessed the impact of Arsha Vidya community-based spiritual program on the physical, mental and social wellbeing of elderly.
Methods: The data used in these analyses were from a site-specific subsample of ongoing longitudinal study involving three study sites. Eighty-six older adults aged 60 and over from Rajasthan, India were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention (Arshavidya activity) or comparison (usual activity) group. Self-reported assessments of general physical health, Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, the Loneliness Scale-III and self-recorded engagement in social activities were taken at baseline and repeated at 6 months.
Results: Assessment questionnaires and self-reported measures were used. There wasn’t any significant difference in demographic or baseline measures between two groups. Post assessment showed significant difference between groups in overall physical health (p<0.001), mental health (p<0.0001) and social activities (p<0.001). The intervention group had better morale and less loneliness, whereas comparison group had a significant decline in social activities (p<0.05).
Implications: The positive impact of spiritual activities for older adults in this study had better overall health, morale, and activities