December 5, 2002

Winter Conference Focuses on Health Promotion, Nursing Homes

The conference will be held at the Margaret McCormick Doisy Learning Resources Center, 3545 Vista Ave.

On Friday, the 22nd annual Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center Conference will cover a range of issues including prevention of elder abuse, obesity, the effect of spirituality on health, exercise for the frail elder, healthy eating, depression and osteoporosis. Participants will discuss ways to promote healthy living for older persons and learn what the future holds for long-term care.

Saturday's session, the 14th Saint Louis University Symposium for Medical Directors, will focus on treating common medical problems faced by nursing home residents. Nursing home medical directors will participate in workshops on falls, the nursing home quality initiative, dementia, andropause and foot care.

The conference is a partnership project of Saint Louis University School of Medicine's division of geriatric medicine, the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center of St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Education System.

Continuing education credits for physicians, psychologists, nurses, nursing home administrators and long term care medical directors are available. Participants may attend one or both days. For information, call (314) 268-5644.