Issue

December is a good month to think of vaccinations. With the “flu season” upon us, the influenza vaccine should be given to all older individuals, as discussed in the October issue of Clinical Geriatrics.1 Now is also a good time to make sure that all elderly persons have had their vaccination against pneumococcal infection. This year, however, there is a new vaccine to consider. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that everyone over age 60 years be vaccinated against herpes zoster. Almost all elderly persons, whether they remember it or not, have been expose

Medicare is getting a little tougher in 2007 in several ways. This new 2007 Medicare will be likely to make a difficult situation worse for geriatric care providers and older persons alike. This year may not be an isolated rough patch; rather, it may be the beginning of a much longer period of increasing cost sharing, as well as pressure being applied to both older persons and to their providers in the form of higher premiums and deductibles for individuals—and lower reimbursement for providers. These issues could come together to force both older persons and their providers into a market ou

CASE PRESENTATION
Mrs. L is a 78-year-old widowed woman, who is a retired school principal. She presents to her primary care physician, Dr. D, complaining again that he has prescribed too much medication for her. Dr. D has only known Mrs. L for the past 6 months, following her discharge from a lengthy hospital and rehabilitation stay due to a total hip replacement with multiple complications. Mrs. L was getting off of a public bus when it was hit by a speeding car, throwing her to the ground. She suffered multiple fractures of her right scapula, radius, and hip. Mrs. L required several ortho

It’s a time of celebration, parties, and get-togethers, but sometimes, the holiday season can also be a source of the blues, especially for older people. Older adults may think about how quickly time has passed, or miss loved ones more during this time of year. Health conditions or concerns about money can also make it harder to enjoy the holidays. Fortunately, there are ways to help cope with the melancholy that may accompany the holidays and the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging offers the following tips:

If you feel blue, try to:
Get out and about: Ask family and friends for help t

INTRODUCTION
Individuals age 65 years or older numbered nearly 36 million in 2003. By 2030, this age cohort is expected to double to nearly 72 million persons in the United States.1 While sexual activity may decline with age and sexual dysfunction tends to increase, a survey conducted in 1969 reported that 68% of men and 30% of women over the age of 60 were still sexually active.2 A recent study in Australia found that more than 55% of women over the age of 70 are still interested in sexual activity.3 This highlights the importance of sexuality in older patients and clinicians being aware of

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 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in

AUTHOR INDEX
Aronow WS, Frishman WH. Effects of antihypertensive drug treatment on cognitive function and the risk of dementia. 2006;14(11):25-28.

Aronow WS. Valvular aortic stenosis in the elderly. 2006;14(2):37-46.

Basil B, Mathews M, Mahmud J, et al. Cognitive enhancers for treatment of noncognitive symptoms of dementia. 2006;14(6):20-23.

Baum N. Androgen deficiency in the aging male. 2006;14(8):22-24.

Baum N. Urinary incontinence in the geriatric patient. 2006;14(4):35-38.

Chopra A. Pain management in the older patient. 2006;14(3):40-46.

Christmas C. Medical car

Lin J, Taylor CE, Fang MA. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in the Older Adult. Clinical Geriatrics 2006;14(12):29-36.

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 “Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in the Older Adult,” which appears on pages 29-36 in this issue of Clinical Geriatrics.

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins Uni