June 11, 2007 - Vol 1, Issue 16
1st GMHA Conference Draws 400+
Over 400 members of the Alliance and others came together for our First Annual Conference. Attendees commented throughout the day about how pleased they were with the high caliber of the presentations. We are grateful to the presenters and to everyone who attended.
For those of you who missed it, here are some of the highlights. NYC DFTA Commissioner, Edwin Méndez-Santiago shared his vision of a system that addresses the needs of the whole person. Dr. Steve Bartels of Dartmouth Medical School, the keynote speaker, gave a comprehensive overview on implementing evidence based practices. Martha Bruce of Weill Cornell, Alene Hokenstad of the United Hospital Fund, and Neil Pessin of the Visiting Nurse Service presented as part of a panel on models for integrating health and mental health services for older adults. NYS SOFA Director, Michael Burgess was the luncheon speaker, and he discussed SOFA's agenda including the role of mental health. The afternoon workshops included topics such as: best practices in home and community based mental health services, mental health and substance abuse treatment for older adults, civic engagement, psychiatric rehabilitation and older adults, training frontline staff in mental health and more.
Please keep an eye out for the power-point presentations of some of the presenters. We plan to have links to them shortly.
We look forward to doing it again next year!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Geriatric Behavioral Health Legislation Passed
The NYS legislature passed two bills on geriatric behavioral health:
Geriatric Chemical Dependence Act: (A01453/S02902) The Act calls for the development of a geriatric chemical demonstration grants program and the development of an Interagency Council on Geriatric Chemical Dependence.
Veterans Geriatric Mental Health Act: (A05154/S5170) The Act calls for the establishment of a veterans geriatric mental health demonstration grants program and the establishment of an Interagency Geriatric Veterans Mental Health Planning Council.
------------------------------------------------------------------
'Aging' Not Discussed at 2nd Listening Forum
On June 6th, the state commissioners of OMH, DOH, OASAS, and OMRDD hosted their second listening forum. This time in NYC. Several Alliance members were present. There was an incredible turnout - about 1,000 people. About half wore buttons we distributed that said "Aging Matters". Less than 15 people were called on to speak. Unfortunately, once again, no one spoke about aging.
We need aging issues to be addressed at these forums!
If you plan to attend one of the next forums, please let us know. We will gladly send you "Aging Matters" buttons to wear the day of the event.
Here is when and where the next forums are taking place:
Buffalo - June 19th from 4:00-6:00 PM
Location: Roswell Park Cancer Institute, David C. Hohn, MD, Lecture Hall, Research Studies Center, Corner of Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, 877-275-7724 or 716-845-2300
Syracuse - June 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Location: Renaissance Hotel, Lafayette Theater, 701 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, June 20, 2007, (Registration begins at 1:30 PM), 1-315-479- 7000
Plattsburg - June 13th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Location: Clinton Community College, Stafford Center for Arts and Technology, 136 Clinton Point Drive, Plattsburgh, NY
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU OR ANY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS WILL BE ATTENDING.
As a reminder you should arrive early as seating is limited and will be on a first come, first serve basis. The comment cards you will be asked to fill out are available online for you to complete in advance.
For your convenience, here is a list of possible talking points on geriatric mental health. The talking points are much too long to fit on a card however, we tried to outline major concerns that individuals could then choose from to mention.
If you cannot attend any of the forums but want to provide feedback, you can submit comments online. If you do submit comments, please send a copy to us.
For more information about the listening tours, please visit the OMH website.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Has Article in SSA Bulletin
Alliance Chair, Michael Friedman has an article entitled Meeting the Mental Health Challenges of the Elderboom published in the Summer 2007 Bulletin of the State Society on Aging of New York. Here is the link to the article.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Events
June 13-15, 2007 - Partners for Recovery: People First A conference on the critical issue of care coordination for New Yorkers diagnosed with a mental health and substance abuse/chemical dependence disorder co-sponsored by ASAP of NYS, the Local Conference of Mental Hygiene Directors, and the NYS Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. The conference will take place at the Holiday Inn in Albany, NY. For more information please view the brochure.
June 14, 2007 - JASA Volunteer Ventures Expo A free half-day conference and volunteer opportunities fair for adults 50+. The event is from 9:30-2:00pm at the UJA Federation of New York, 130 East 59th Street, 7th Floor, NYC. Advanced registration is required.
See flyer for more details.
June 19, 2007 - Breaking Down Barriers: Elder Abuse: Addressing Financial Exploitation Through Partnerships A multidisciplinary conference sponsored by JASA, Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, The City of New York's Department for the Aging, Human Resources Administration, Fordham University, and New School University. The conference is from 8:30- 1:30 at the New School University Institute for Retired Professionals. Please view the program for more information.
June 19 and 20 - The 11th Annual "Aging Concerns Unite Us" Conference presented by the New York State Association of Area Agencies on Aging at the Albany Crowne Plaza, State and Lodge Street, Albany, NY. This conference is an award- winning collaborative conference that provides quality educational programming to leaders in the field of Aging and those serving people with differing abilities. This event attracts over 400 professionals from all regions of New York State who are devoted to coordinating and providing quality services for senior citizens, people with differing abilities, and their caregivers. You'll find enticing educational programs led by thought-provoking presenters who will cover the cutting edge topics important to you and your agency. For more information, please visit the NYSAAAA website.
June 21 - Third Thursday Breakfast: Geriatric Mental Health A broadcast series on public health issues sponsored by The University at Albany, School of Public Health, Continuing Education, NYS Department of Health, NYS Association of County Health Officials, NYS Nurses Association, and the NYS Community Health Partnership. The session will feature Michael B. Friedman, Alliance Chair and will be from 9:00-10:00am. It will be available via satellite downlink, via a live webcast, and available as an archived online webstream two weeks after each broadcast. Please see flyer for more information.
June 21 - Understanding and Protecting the Consumer Rights of Older Adults A training for social workers and other professional staff working with older adults For more information, here is the flyer.
June 21, 2007 - Planning Today for Tomorrow A statewide symposium on long- term care restructuring sponsored by the NYS Dept of Health The conference will take place from 8:00- 4:30pm at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY.
June 22, 2007 - 7th Annual Orange County Mental Health & Wellness Conference OMH Commissioner Michael F. Hogan and Geriatric Mental Health Alliance Chairman Michael Friedman to Keynote. The conference will take place from 8:30am to 4:00pm at Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor. For more information, please visit here.
July 19 - Third Thursday Breakfast: Alzheimer's Disease A broadcast series on public health issues sponsored by the above listed organizations. The session will feature Mary Mittelman of the NYU School of Medicine and Earl Zimmerman of the Albany Medical Center Neurology Group. The session will occur from 9:00-10:00am. It will be available via satellite downlink, via a live webcast, and available as an archived online webstream two weeks after each broadcast. Please see flyer for more information.
September 18, 2007- Mental Illness and the Older Client: A Challenge for Geriatric Care Managers sponsored by the Greater New York Chapter NAPGCM. Dr. Mark Nathanson is the opening keynote speaker and Michael Friedman is the luncheon keynote. The conference will be from 8:00am-4:15pm at the New York Academy of Medicine. Please view the save the date card for more information.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Research Articles
Antipsychotic Drug Use and Mortality in Older Adults with Dementia
Annals of Internal Medicine, June 05, 2007 - V:146, No. 11
Sudeep S. Gill, MD, MSc; Susan E. Bronskill, PhD; Sharon-Lise T. Normand, PhD; Geoffrey M. Anderson, MD, PhD; Kathy Sykora, MSc; Kelvin Lam, MSc; Chaim M. Bell, MD, PhD; Philip E. Lee, MD; Hadas D. Fischer, MD; Nathan Herrmann, MD; Jerry H. Gurwitz, MD; and Paula A. Rochon, MD, MPH.
Antipsychotic drugs are widely used to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia despite concerns about their safety. And recent reports suggest that antipsychotics are associated with increased risk for death in patients with dementia.
This large, population-based study from Canada assessed the risk of death after dispensation of antipsychotics in older adults with dementia to examine the association between treatment with antipsychotics (both conventional and atypical) and all- cause mortality.
Click here for the article.
No comments:
Post a Comment