GSA Momentum Discussions

Researchers have identified several molecular pathways at a cellular level, including within the mitochondria, which appear to influence both aging and age-related chronic disease. These cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as age-associated cellular decline, or AACD. Identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process,...

This episode addresses the need for effective communication with older adults who have sleep disturbances.  As a condition that is underdiagnosed and undertreated, it is important to understand how to address this issue with older people to ensure that the right treatments are provided, and that health and well-being are attained. Guest:  Michael V. Vitiello, PhD Professor of Psychiatry & Behavior...

The process of bringing a vaccine to market takes extensive research and safety monitoring. Dr. Gordon Douglas explains the steps from preclinical studies to vaccine licensure, and discusses his own experience developing vaccines at a major manufacturer for 30 years. He also shares lessons learned from clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the importance of participant diversity....

Communicating the risks and benefits of immunization can be challenging, as the language of science may not always be well understood by the public. Dr. Aaron Scherer shares his research on risk communication and infectious disease, what we can learn from outbreak communication with older adults, and his thoughts on future opportunities in the field.   Guest: Aaron Scherer, MA, PhD Assistant Profe...

A routine immunization program in long-term care facilities can protect residents who are most at risk of poor outcomes if they contract a vaccine-preventable disease, however systemic challenges contribute to stagnant vaccination rates among residents and low vaccination rates among staff. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Resnick discusses her work in improving immunization rates in long-term care, u...

Individuals with dementia-related psychosis experience worse outcomes than those who do not have psychosis, including but not being limited to accelerated time to being admitted to a long-term care facility and accelerated mortality. The manifestation of hallucinations and delusions in residents with dementia can also prove challenging for long-term care staff. Dr. Chad Worz discusses how appropri...

Primary care providers (PCPs) are ideally positioned to recognize, diagnose, and provide care planning for individuals with dementia who experience psychosis. Dr. Alexis Eastman discusses the important role of PCPs in team-based approaches to care and shares examples of innovative healthcare delivery models that can support PCPs in addressing dementia-related psychosis.  Guest: Alexis Eastman, MD ...

Dementia-related psychosis, defined as hallucinations and delusions in individuals with dementia, is a distinct neuropsychiatric symptom. Dementia-related psychosis differs from psychosis that originates from delirium or a pre-existing psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia). Dr. Gary Small explains the challenges to and approaches for detecting and diagnosing these symptoms.   Guest: Gary Small,...

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in older adults each year. Those over 65, adults with chronic heart or lung disease, and adults with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Yet RSV remains underdiagnosed. This podcast was originally recorded as a webinar, where Drs. Robin Jump and Lindsay Kim answer questions about RSV and its impact on...

Advances in medicine mean the number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS is increasing, which also presents new challenges to both aging service providers and HIV/AIDS service providers. In Part 2 of this series on Understanding HIV in Older Adults, Drs. Meredith Greene and Molly Perkins discuss the intersection of geriatric medicine and HIV specialists, as well as HIV prevention in older adults,...

Advances in medicine mean the number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS is increasing, which also presents new challenges to both aging service providers and HIV/AIDS service providers. In Part 1 of this series on Understanding HIV in Older Adults, Drs. Mark Brennan-Ing and Molly Perkins discuss social networks, isolation, and social supports among older adults living with HIV; resilience as a w...

Dr. Melissa Batchelor speaks with Dr. Barbara Yawn about her journey to becoming Chief Clinical Officer of the COPD Foundation. Dr. Yawn shares the misconceptions about COPD in older adults and challenges that lead to underdiagnosis. She discusses treatment options – both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic – and the importance of an interdisciplinary team in treating COPD. Guest: Barbara Yawn, MD...

The vexing problem of the increasing weight of Americans has grown to epidemic proportions in recent decades. As millions of people enter older adulthood, they bring with them added pounds and the challenges of excessive body fat. Now recognized as a chronic medical condition, obesity is associated with serious health problems that increase morbidity and mortality, stigmatization at work and in so...