Original broadcast date: January 11, 2009 Recent reports from the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society state that the number of Canadians who will develop Alzheimer Disease will double in 25 years to 1.3 million people. They are urging more funding for research to find a means to treat and perhaps prevent the changes that occur within the [...]

Exercise and alzheimer prevention Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It can be a difficult task for both the patient and physician when trying to formulate an evidenced-based approach to treat dementia. Guidelines exist to help in this area but practising physicians frequently seek advice on the most effective interventions for dementia. A study in the November 4, 2008 edition of the Canadian Medical Association [...]

management of mild to moderate dementia Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the elderly, the response to stressful procedures like surgery can lead to some post-operative effects on mood and perception. These effects can hamper the recovery process. A new study published in the September 2008 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal from Ontario’s Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) found the use of stains [...]

Statins may increase risk of delerium after surgery in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For people over the age of 80 who suffer from cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral vascular disease requiring diagnostic imaging and stenting procedures, a new study presented recently at the Society of Interventional Radiology meeting in Washington reveals that age is not necessarily a barrier to treatment. Dr. George Hartnell, FRCP, Chief, Cardiovascular and Interventional [...]

CVD and diagnostic imaging Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

An ICES study recently reported that older adults with dementia who receive short-term courses of antipsychotic medications are more likely to experience a serious adverse event requiring hospitalization than those who do not take the drugs. Dr. Paula Rochon, MD, MPH, FRCPC Senior Scientist and Assistant Director at the Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit – [...]

anti-psychotic drug use in dementia Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Original broadcast date: January 20, 2008 One of the more difficult aspects in treating agitation and aggressive behaviour in people with Alzheimer’s is choosing medications that are effective but without severe side effects. In a study published online in the September 2007 issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, researchers at Toronto’s Baycrest geriatric [...]

Antipsychotic meds effects Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Although the focus for many people is to prevent illness and stay as healthy and independent as possible, as we age, the more likely we will be diagnosed with various diseases states or conditions. As a result, the elderly are prescribed more medications that have the potential to cause harm through drug interactions and not [...]

Prescribing leading to polypharmacy in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

There are several Alzheimer’s disease medications that are used to slow the decline of memory, language and thinking abilities. A study published in October issue of Journal of the American Geriatrics Society by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) sought to answer several questions regarding the duration of therapy, whether there is a point [...]

The limitations of Alzheimer's medications Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We tend to associate Alzheimer’s disease with progressive memory impairment. Forgetfulness, a common symptom, is one of several indicators of cognitive decline. A new Canadian survey of caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients found the most common symptom identified next to forgetfulness was verbal repetition, which has been shown to be an early sign of dementia. [...]

Verbal repetition as an early sign of dementia Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Many people have difficulty sleeping in hospitals. Noisy wards to visits to the loss of a person’s lack daily routine are some of the contributing factors to insomnia. A new ICES study, Initiation of benzodiazepines in the elderly after hospitalization, in the July 2007 issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine looked at prescribing [...]

Initiation of benzodiazepines in the elderly after hospitalization Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We have had calls to Sunday House Call from listeners who were had chronic pain that was not adequately controlled. Many of the callers were older individuals whose quality of life was suffering. By 2025, almost one quarter of all Canadians will be over 65 years old. Chronic pain in older people is associated with [...]

Controlling chronic pain in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you are a resident in a nursing home, what is the likelihood you will be prescribed an antipsychotic medication based on a clear indication that it is a required therapy? This question was addressed in an ICES study that looked at the prescribing rates in different Ontario nursing residences. The results published this month [...]

Antipsychotic medication use in Ontario nursing home residences Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

There has been a plethora of medical stories about Vitamin D research recently and a growing body of evidence linking its deficiency to diseases such as colon and breast cancer. Other studies have suggested that it can reduce the risk of MS and stress fractures in young athletic women. A study published in the Journal [...]

Vitamin D and risk of falls in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As our population ages, so too do conditions that can contribute to falls. What are the consequences of falls and what measures can you incorporate into your life or the lives of others that can reduce their risk of serious injury and disability? Dr. Anne Monahan, Medical Director of the Geriatric Days Hospital, Falls Clinic [...]

Falls in the elderly Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

More men are asking for PSA screening as a means of detecting prostate cancer. What are the prostate cancer screening guidelines? Is there a point in a man’s life when screening should stop and where the detection of prostate cancer does not benefit the patient? A study published in the Nov. 15 issue of the [...]

PSA Screening Among Elderly Men With Limited Life Expectancies Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Digestive problems, especially for people over the age of 60 may be due to a change in intestinal bacterial colonies or flora. The balance is thus more heavily weighted towards ‘unfriendly’ bacteria, which may make them more susceptible to gastrointestinal infections and bowel conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Restoration of the friendly bacteria in [...]

probiotics and maintenance of bowel health and function Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The automobile has always been more than just as a means of transportation for many people, often a sign of independence, power, individualism and control. It is why it is so difficult for people who must confront the day when they are no longer competent to drive to relinquish their keys. What system of evaluation [...]

Identifying patients whose driving ability will likely be impaired by early stage dementia Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

When trying to determine the possible solutions to treat vexing diseases, it is critical to have an understanding of the underlying mechanisms or pathophysiology of the disease process. This study can range from the visual inspection of damaged organs to the molecular and cellular level. Scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the [...]

Progress in understanding how aging contributes to the development of Alzheimer Disease Play Now | Play in Popup | Download