Issue

As 2005 comes to an end, I can’t help but think of all of the natural disasters that have occurred throughout the world this year. As the year began, we watched with horror as the devastating effects of a tsunami unfolded in the Far East. While it seemed so distant and unreal, the death toll was unimaginable and the human suffering heart-wrenching. As the year progressed, many other natural disasters occurred throughout the world; perhaps none hit home as much as the devastating effects of the hurricanes that hit the southern United States. Visions of New Orleans still haunt those of us who

CASE PRESENTATION
A 74-year-old white male was referred to the ophthalmologist with a 3-week history of difficulty in reading and diminution of vision. He also complained of a right-sided headache, which was throbbing in nature and episodic, each episode lasting a few hours. On direct questioning his wife said that he had been getting progressively more tired over the past few weeks. There was no apparent loss of weight. He had no history of shoulder stiffness or joint pains or any other significant past medical history. Clinical examination revealed vision of 20/60 in each eye with glasses.

AUTHOR INDEX

Albrecht CR III, Gambert SR. Botanical and diet-based biological therapies and their use by older persons: Part I. 2005;13(1):26-34.

Albrecht CR III, Gambert SR. Botanical and diet-based biological therapies and their use by older persons: Part II. 2005;13(3):28-36.

Aoun P, Albrecht CR III, Gambert SR. Diabetes mellitus: Present and future preventive strategies—Part I. 2005;13(6):30-37.

Aoun P, Albrecht CR III, Gambert SR. Diabetes mellitus: Present and future preventive strategies—Part II. 2005;13(7):30-35.

Aronow WS. Treatment of older persons with hyperten

CASE PRESENTATION
A 66-year-old widowed male comes to a psychiatrist with his daughter, who acts as a translator and informant. The daughter and patient are concerned that he is “taking too many medications and not getting better.” They are worried about the medical care that he has received, and provide a very detailed history. The patient is a native of Brazil, who immigrated to the United States 40 years ago. He retired from his job as a construction worker at age 63 after being seriously injured at work, suffering a depressed skull fracture requiring insertion of a metal plate over h

These are the top 10 most asked questions that I have encountered with regard to the new Medicare prescription drug program by both beneficiaries and providers. They typically fall into three main categories: enrollment, accessing medications, and additional resources. The answers to these should provide the basis for addressing many of your own questions.

ENROLLMENT
1. Where should I direct patients/families who have questions about the new plans?

Ideally, someone in your office staff should be trained to answer patients’ questions regarding which prescription drug plan (PDP) provi

When examining the musculoskeletal system, neurological aspects must be considered. Strength testing, as discussed in Part I of this article (Clinical Geriatrics 2005;13[11]: 16-24), helps to assess whether a pattern of muscular weakness is due to a spinal nerve problem, or other musculoskeletal diseases. Examining the reflexes and the sensory system helps to differentiate neuronal damage from musculoskeletal pathology. Weakness associated with reflexive changes and discrepancies within the sensory system may indicate the nervous system as the culprit that is causing disease. Furthermore, evid

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit th

This continuing medical education activity is presented by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

These examination questions are based on the article “HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors for the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease,” which appears on pages 35-44 in this issue of Clinical Geriatrics.

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing