Program for Thursday May 08, 2025

Meeting of the AGS membership. Reports on the status of AGS, highlights and introduction of the new President and Board members. 

Sponsored by the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP) 

For Geriatric Fellowship Coordinators, the ever-changing curriculum and ACGME requirements make it imperative to provide support in mastering the increasingly complex day-to-day management of geriatric programs as a valued member of the education program leadership team. During this session, AGE-ACT will foster an environment of professional growth and development for coordinators supporting geriatric medicine programs by offering education resources for both novice and experienced members. Learning Objectives: (1) discuss administration and coordination of health care delivery, education, and research within the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship programs; (2) describe best practice strategies for supporting Program Directors; (3) discuss mentoring and professional development opportunities. 

Moderator: Ardeshir Z. Hashmi, MD

This symposium will provide a clinically-oriented primer on how to identify and manage age-related hearing loss in a primary care setting. Learning Objectives: (1) describe the prevalence, consequences, and known disparities related to age-related hearing loss; (2) identify approaches to screening for hearing loss in a clinical setting; (3) discuss the benefits and options for addressing hearing loss with an emphasis on practical, accessible, and affordable options that advance hearing health equity, including communication strategies, assistive technology, and amplification; (4) review the key action statements of the 2024 AAO-HNS Clinical Practice Guidelines on age-related hearing loss.

Sponsored by the Public Education Committee, CPMC Committee, Dementia Care and Caregiver Support SIG, Healthy Aging SIG, Interprofessional Education & Practice SIG, PPC SIG, and Pharmacists Section

Moderator: Lauren J. Gleason, MD, MPH, AGSF

Collaborating with community health workers (CHW) in health systems can further expand the Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) movement to aging populations and address the 4Ms of AFHS for older patients who are marginalized. CHWs do not provide conventional clinical care but can facilitate outreach programs for health screening and education. They are often trusted members of the communities they serve and, as such, are uniquely positioned to address health disparities among older adults through advocacy and cultural understanding. Learning Objectives: (1) describe the breadth scope of CHW work with example models of care; (2) list the benefits of CHW roles in addressing knowledge and practice gaps related to the 4Ms; (3) discuss the benefits of engaging with the CHW workforce for public education to reduce health disparities.

Chairs: Brent Schell, MD and Pavitri Dwivedi, DO

Please join other fellows, faculty members, and leaders in geriatrics at the annual Fellows-in-Training meeting. This event is a unique opportunity to share and discuss ideas, past experiences, and future career plans while networking with colleagues and mentors from across the country. 

Sponsored by the Teachers Section and the Education Committee   

Moderator: TBA

This session presents a forum for teachers of geriatric education to share topics and materials of common interest, such as program development, curriculum, educational process and research in teaching and evaluation. Learning Objective: (1) describe and exchange geriatric education and teaching materials.

Chair: Margaret I. Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, AGSF

Join other nurses, nursing students, and AGS leaders at this special session. The Section meeting will also include time for networking and presentations by AGS nursing leaders.  

Co-Chairs: Teresa M. DeLellis, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP & Tasha Woodall, PharmD, BCGP

The Pharmacists Section meeting is an opportunity for pharmacist members of AGS to network, share information about their AGS presentations, and discuss ways to collaborate. 

Chair: TBD

Please join other social workers and social work students at the Social Workers Section meeting. This session will provide an opportunity to meet, network, and collaborate with other social workers in the field of aging.  

Sponsored by the Research Committee

Description coming soon.

Developed by the Research Committee  

Moderator: Paul Mulhausen, MD, MHS, FACP, AGSF

This session will present the top three research abstracts based on average score, quality, originality and methodology of research.  Learning Objectives: (1) describe emerging concepts or a new scientific focus in aging research; and (2) summarize the key findings of research with relevance to care of older adults.

Sponsored by the Ethics Committee

This session will present the recently updated AGS Position Statement on Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and All Sexual and Gender Minority Older Adults. Learning Objectives: (1) describe the changing landscape and progress made in health systems, policy, and culture since the release of the preceding 2015 Position Statement; (2) summarize the historical lens of unequal treatment in laws and social structures; (3) discuss the gaps and need for training in LGBTQI+ health concerns; (4) identify research areas with paucity of data; and (5) review AGS recommendations in providing high-quality, equitable care for older LGBTQI+ adults to create affirming, inclusive environments that fully care for the intersection of their identities. 

Sponsored by the Clinical Practice and Models of Care Committee

Moderator: Nimit Agarwal, MD, MBA, AGSF

Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) are a cluster of neuropsychiatric symptoms that can impact functionality and quality of life. More than 90% of all dementia patients are affected by BPSD at some point during their dementia progression. Learning Objectives: (1) identify Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia (BPSD) promptly; (2) review best practices, non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches in the management of BPSD; (3) discuss effective care transition strategies for BPSD, with emphasis on cultural and ethical implications when addressing BPSD; (4) discuss impact of social determinants of health in managing BDSD.

Sponsored by the Ethnogeriatrics Committee and the Achieving Health Equity Among Diverse Older Adults Special Interest Group

Moderator: Stephanie Chow, MD, MPH

In this workshop, we will share our experience on the feasibility and value of a dedicated DEI curriculum in an academic geriatric department. Learning Objectives: (1) review techniques to offering a departmental DEI-B baseline needs assessment and reflection on knowledge gaps, and evaluate the institutional landscape with a focus on caring for older adults and persons living with serious illness; (2) assess and present sensitive and timely DEI topics intentionally and effectively, using interdepartmental, institutional, and community resources; (3) describe ways to potentially synthesize and establish metrics for curriculum outputs and their outcomes, positive and negative indicators for program success and performance, and overall program impact; (4) provide strategies and techniques for maintaining a stable DEI program, given limited resources and protected time.

Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging in cooperation with the AGS Research Committee 

This symposium is intended for independently funded researchers at a mid- to senior career level. It targets the needs of research leaders and established investigators by providing an update from NIA staff on research programs and initiatives.  Presentations will include current funding, new opportunities including those related to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and future priorities and research directions of NIA.  Learning Objectives: (1) describe the current and future research foci of the NIA extramural divisions; and (2) discuss the current funding environment.

Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Diseases and Aging SIG

Patients with end-stage cardiovascular diseases commonly experience suboptimal treatment outcomes, high therapeutic burden, and poor quality of life. Palliative approaches for end-stage cardiovascular diseases provide an alternative approach that often helps patients better achieve care they value. However, compared to other life-threatening diseases, palliative care is underutilized among older adults with end-stage cardiovascular diseases. Learning Objectives: (1) explain why palliative pharmacotherapy is critical in the care of end-stage cardiovascular diseases among older adults; (2) review necessary medications used for palliative care for end-stage cardiovascular diseases among older adults; (3) discuss the process of deprescribing cardiovascular medications for palliative care for end-stage cardiovascular diseases among older adults; (4) describe the value of pharmacists, geriatricians and cardiologists working together in the care for end-stage cardiovascular diseases among older adults.

Sponsored by the Research Committee

Moderator: TBD
This session will present the latest peer-reviewed geriatrics research with questions and answers to follow.  Learning Objectives: (1) discuss new and original geriatrics research; (2) describe an emerging concept or new scientific focus in aging research; and (3) summarize the key findings of projects with relevance to care of older adults.

Sponsored by the Teachers Section and Education Committee

Moderator: Becky Powers, MD AGSF

This interprofessional train-the-trainer workshop will provide hands-on tips, tricks, and teaching materials to clinician educators about teaching about the diagnosis, management, and communication techniques for patients with age-related hearing loss. We anticipate that educators from all health professions backgrounds will find the sessions useful as hearing loss impacts patients in all clinical settings and their trainees often lack skills on assessing and managing hearing loss. Learning Objectives: (1) teach implementation of practical tips and troubleshooting for hearing aids and equipment; (2) teach evaluation of candidates for hearing aids and/or cochlear implants; (3) teach interpretation of audiograms and their relationship to cognitive assessment; (4) teach performance of bedside testing and communication with a focus on health equity.

Sponsored by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Moderator: Shari Ling, MD

This session will provide an overview of Age Friendly Healthcare concepts in care across the continuum.  The presenters will describe how CMS and the VA have incorporated Age Friendly Care in infrastructure changes, data collection related to inpatient delirium prevention and incidence, promoting care planning for older adults and in quality measurement, value-based payment and models of care developed by CMMI. Learning Objectives: (1) consider levers for quality, incentives and models that promote Age Friendly Care; (2) consider modifications to infrastructure that can be applied to operationalize Age Friendly Health Care; (3) consider the evidence associated with care planning in patient reported quality of life, providing care aligned with patient goals and delaying disability.