Psychiatric Issues in the Elderly

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Faculty Information

Christopher J. Thomas, PharmD, BCPP, BCPS, CGP

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the clinical presentation, signs and symptoms, DSM-IV-TR criteria, and pathophysiology for Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, late-life depression, and late-life anxiety disorders.
  2. Explain the use of common rating scales for research, diagnosis and management of dementia, late-life depression, and late-life anxiety disorders.
  3. Discuss the efficacy of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options in the acute and long-term management of dementias, late-life depression, and late-life anxiety disorders.
  4. Outline the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenetic properties, adverse events, drug interactions, and warnings/precautions for drugs used in dementias, late-life anxiety depression, and late-life anxiety disorders.
  5. Describe treatment guidelines and clinical trials, including study design, strengths and weaknesses, and significance of findings for Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, late-life depression, and late-life anxiety.
  6. Select an evidenced-based drug therapy regimen (drug, dose, schedule and duration of therapy) for stabilizing symptoms and preventing relapse given the clinical presentation of a specific patient.
  7. Outline a plan for monitoring the safety and efficacy of drug therapy ( including laboratory tests and managing adverse effects, if appropriate).
  8. Identify essential information to discuss during patient counseling about the drug therapy of dementias, late-life depression, and late-life anxiety disorder.
  9. Discuss the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services State Operations Manual standards in the management of the patients in long-term care facilities who are receiving psychotropic drug therapy.

Course Requirements

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