Case Studies in Geriatric Medicine

This case-based approach to geriatric medicine is suitable for all health professionals and trainees who provide care for the elderly, including interns, residents, geriatric fellows, physicians in practice, and nurse practitioners. Illustrated with more than 40 cases based on the authors' experience in clinical practice, the examples range from the healthy elderly to those with advanced cognitive or physical impairments. Discussions are evidence based with extensive references, emphasizing differential diagnosis, atypical presentations in late life, age-appropriate medical management, interdisciplinary methods, and care in the context of different health care settings. The authors have distilled a wealth of practical and clinical experience in this area to produce a user-friendly guide to geriatric medicine. This is the ideal study guide for certifying examinations and highly suitable as a textbook for courses in geriatric medicine and gerontology. - Takes a symptom-based approach, illuminated by real-life case studies - Suitable for MDs, trainees, nurse practitioners and physician assistants - Can be used as revision aid and refresher for certifying examinations Judith C. Ahronheim New York Medical College Zheng Bo Huang Cornell University, New York Christina Davitt Seton Hall University, New Jersey Vincent Yen New York Medical College David Barile Drexel University, Philadelphia CONTENTS Preface; 1. Annual physical; 2. Office visit; 3. A bad driver; 4. Early dementia; 5. Moderate dementia; 6. Severe dementia; 7. Two women with advanced dementia; 8. Occupational deterioration; 9. Atypical dementia; 10. 'Pseudodementia'; 11. Chest pain; 12. Clearance for surgery; 13. Type 2 Diabetes; 14. Two patients with hypertension; 15. A fall; 16. Wheezing; 17. Acute hemiparesis; 18. Chronic hemiparesis; 19. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding; 20. Delirium; 21. Herbal remedies; 22. Insomnia; 23. Low vision; 24. Recurrent falls; 25. Four patients in an osteoporosis clinic; 26. Hip fracture; 27. Headache; 28. Pain; 29. Leg ulcer; 30. Chronic cough; 31. Diarrhea; 32. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding; 33. Urinary incontinence; 34. Urinary retention; 35. Erectile dysfunction; 36. Vaginal bleeding; 37. 'Mother is not herself'; 38. 'Failure to thrive'; 39. Three patients with agitation; 40. Weight loss; 41. Hypothermia; 42. Hyperthermia; 43. A centenarian; Index.