ASA Conference Wrap-Up

ASA’s Aging in America Conference
Presents Array of Aging Issues

By Barbara Worthington

The American Society on Aging’s Aging in America conference presented a comprehensive view of the multidisciplinary issues and challenges in aging throughout the country. The array of professional program categories included sessions addressing mental health; health, wellness and care transitions; managed care; aging, disability, and technology; diversity and culture in aging; policy and advocacy; elder mistreatment and abuse; age-friendly livable communities; and brain health.

Brain health, as always, anchored a variety of sessions focused on Alzheimer’s disease prevention, care, and treatment. Presenters emphasized the array of therapies and treatments, including Namaste Care, nonpharmacological approaches to dementia behaviors, music as a dementia therapy, antipsychotic use in dementia care, exercise therapy in dementia management, and the importance of brain training.

A well-received general session, “How Technology Is Reinventing Aging,” described products and items designed to keep older adults in their homes longer, track wandering dementia patients, and monitor elders’ movements in their homes or long term care environments. An article featuring new developments in wearables for older adults will appear in the May/June issue of Today’s Geriatric Medicine.

Another session examined the devastation associated with Alzheimer’s patients over the course of the disease. The disease trajectory negatively influences health, emotional stability, relationships, and financial status. Presenters detailed the complexity involved in research and the commitment of biopharmaceutical companies to address the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. There are currently 87 potential new treatments in clinical trials. Despite the long and difficult stretch from research to development of new medications, scientists are making progress. However, many challenges remain.

Elder nutrition has emerged as an important focus among clinicians and researchers. Sessions addressed topics such as malnutrition in nursing homes, condition-focused nutrition designed for at-risk patients, diet quality and diabetes status, and combating elder hunger. Providers appear to be taking increasing interest in elder nutrition and raising patients’ awareness of their own nutritional needs.

Falls continue to dominate the conversation where older adults are concerned. Several sessions addressed the importance of fall prevention. A number of industry newcomers showcased their products in the exhibit hall. One new product utilizes a lift mechanism to help elders get themselves up from the floor when they have fallen.

This year’s exhibit hall appeared to have more exhibitors and new products and services on display than in previous years. Although there are a number of vendors exhibiting each year, this occasion showed that the industry continues to make technological advances on behalf of elders.

— Barbara Worthington is editor of Today’s Geriatric Medicine.