Dementia is an important diagnosis that is frequently missed until its later stages. In this module, clinicians will learn the proper diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting with memory loss, manage associated behavioral problems, recognize signs of elder abuse and familiarize themselves with physician responsibility and options related to unsafe elderly drivers.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS: The Harvard Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

COST: $60.00
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OVERALL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Familiarize clinicians on the diagnosis and management of dementia.
2. Improve recognition and management of elder abuse.
3. Provide information on medico-legal and psychosocial issues surrounding unsafe elderly drivers.

CLINICAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Recognize and diagnose dementia, Alzheimer's dementia and vascular dementia based on DSM-IV criteria.
2. Distinguish between the common types of dementia (Alzheimer's, vascular, Lewy body) and less common forms (normal pressure hydrocephalus, frontal lobe dementia).
3. List available treatments for Alzheimer's dementia and vascular dementia and distinguish them according to mechanism of actions and indications.
4. Recognize confounding conditions (delirium, depression, sensory impairments, drug toxicity) in the evaluation of dementia.
5. Manage behavioral problems and mood disorders in dementia patients.
6. Recognize signs of elder mistreatment and be familiar with physician's reporting responsibilities.
7. Enumerate appropriate cognitive, laboratory, and imaging tests for the evaluation of patient presenting with cognitive problems.
8. Recognize mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and distinguish it from dementia and normal cognition.
9. Know the resources available to help address physician concerns regarding driving safety in elderly and/or demented patients.

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LEWIS ARNOLD LIPSITZ, MD Course Director

Bio and Photo Coming Soon. DISCLOSURE:

ZALDY TAN, M.D., M.P. Course Director

Dr. Zaldy S. Tan is Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of Education at the Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of Aging and the GRECC, VA Boston Healthcare System. He is an investigator at the Framingham Heart Study, where his research focuses on the risk and protective factors for dementia. Dr Tan was the founding director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. His current clinical practice focuses on the promotion of healthy aging and the prevention of disease. He is also Associate Program Director of the Harvard Geriatric Medicine Fellowship and performs research on the use of instructional technology in quality improvement initiatives for older patients. DISCLOSURE:

TIMOTHY LOO, M.D. Course Contributor

Bio and Photo Coming Soon. DISCLOSURE:

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ANGELA BOTTS, MD Reviewer

Throughout her career thus far, Dr. Botts has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to geriatric medical education. Following her internal medicine residency at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Botts completed a geriatric medicine fellowship at Harvard Medical School. She is currently active as a geriatrician at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard. Dr. Botts is the recipient of a Hartford Center for Excellence Research Fellowship Award and Geriatric Academic Career Award. Her teaching interests include the development, implementation, and management of an inpatient geriatric pain management curriculum for interdisciplinary housestaff and nurses. In addition, she has been selected as a Rabkin Fellow for the 2008-2009 academic year. DISCLOSURE:

MEDHA MUNSHI, Reviewer

Bio and Photo Coming Soon. DISCLOSURE: Reported no relevant financial relationships with commercial entities.

PETER J. ZUROMSKIS, MD Reviewer

Dr. Zuromskis clinical practice in general internal medicine is based in Lexington Center, where he sees 3500 to 4000 patients annually. His focus is on academic quality medicine, and for 2-4 of his sessions weekly, he has resident working under his direction. He maintains an active role in in-patient care. He has served as a member of the Harvard Medical School Admissions Committee, and remains a senior fellow of the Holmes Society where he serves as a designated mentor to 2-3 students. His public health activites involve availability for consultation on matters of nuclear-biologic-chemical warfare/terrorism as a reserve Captain in the US Naval Reserve. He regularly serves as a consultant to Risk Management Foundation as a case reviewer and defense witness. DISCLOSURE: No Disclosures

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NUMBER OF CREDITS: 3 

Harvard Medical School is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Harvard Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Upon completion of the course you will get a certificate via e-mail within 2 weeks.

Click the image to view a sample of the certificate

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