Challenging Geriatric Behaviors

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Steven Atkinson, PA-C, MS Related seminars and products

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Steven Atkinson, PA-C, MS, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in Geriatric Internal Medicine. He practices medicine in the greater Minneapolis area. In addition to his private practice, he has been on the faculty at the University of Utah since 1994 and has been involved in medicine for over 30 years.

Steven is the co-founder of Twin Cities Physicians, which serves older adults at nearly all levels of their care. He has presented nationally for over 15 years, primarily speaking about geriatric-related syndromes.

Steven is the author of Geriatric Pharmacology: The Principals of Practice & Clinical Recommendations, Second Edition, and also sits on several boards whose purpose is to elevate the level of care in medicine for the patients they serve. Steven has been described as a “dynamic” educator and one of the most engaging presenters around.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Steven Atkinson is the founder and co-owner of Twin Cities Physicians and Midwest Geriatrics Services, and he is the owner of Mindful Geriatrics, LLC. He provides legal counseling services to medical professionals and receives compensation. Steve Atkinson receives compensation for course development from Executive Links. He is adjunct faculty at the University of Utah. Steve Atkinson receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He formerly owned stocks/shares in Moderna, Inc. He is a stock holder with Eli Lilly. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies have been mitigated.
Non-financial: Steven Atkinson is a member of the board for MDMA. He is a member of AMDA/PALTC, GMPA, and others. For a complete list, please contact info@pesi.com.

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Objectives

1. Develop strategies to manage difficult behaviors in seniors who have an altered perception of reality.
2. Differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate sexual behaviors in individuals with dementia.
3. Distinguish between normal sleeping patterns and bedtime issues which could lead to increased health problems.
4. Analyze the physical and psychological changes that affect an elder’s desire and ability to eat including the changes in nutritional requirements.
5. Apply current research findings to prevent and slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Determine environmental and behavioral triggers of agitation.
7. Develop strategies to minimize or redirect wandering behavior.

Outline

• Normal aging changes of the mind
• Depression, dementia, and delirium
• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Diagnose, differentiate, and develop a plan of care

• Stages
• Assessment
• Getting a diagnosis
• Behavioral issues of early diagnosis
• Management and interventions
• Pharmacological treatments

• Driving safety
• Legal issues
• Assess driving abilities
• How to take the keys away

• Reasons why cognitively impaired individuals wander
• Is wandering a bad thing?
• Issues to consider
• Manage a wanderer’s behavior

Physical Aggression

• Identify the cause of aggression
• Loss of impulse control
• Regression of the mind/child-like mind
• Manage the problem

Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors

• Normal sexual drive or inappropriate behavior
• Cognitively impaired individuals
• Medication management
• Ethical considerations

Refusing to Eat/Forgetting to Eat

• Reasons why geriatric patients slow or stop eating
• Nutritional needs in a geriatric patient
• Improve nutritional status
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Alternatives to eating

Sleepless Nights

• Sundowning and behavioral problems in the evening
• Why does sundowning occur?
• Environmental interventions to decrease aggressive behaviors
• Medication management when it becomes problematic

Caregiver Stress

• Physical, psychological, and emotional stress
• Identify caregiver burnout and ways to help
• Assist the caregiver

Other Issues

• Ways to identify potential falls and prevent injury
• Causes for orthostatic hypotension
• Ways to avoid using restraints

Case Studies: Learning from Experience and Mistakes

• How to manage sundowners
• Strategies to improve hygiene
• Reassurance and redirection

Target Audience

• Nurses
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Social Workers
• Nursing Home Administrators
• Registered Dietitians & Dietetic Technicians
• Recreation Therapists