Course Director:
Manju T. Beier, Pharm..D., FASCP
President, Geriatric Consultant Resources, LLC
Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Upon completion of this program, the participant should be able to:
1. Describe the epidemiology of depression in the elderly and summarize the factors associated with the aging process that put the elderly at risk for developing depression.
2. Discuss the goals of treatment of depression in the elderly and emphasize the consequences of untreated and unrecognized depression in late life.
3. Outline the three strategic choices for treatment of depression in the elderly: psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and pharmacotherapy, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
4. List considerations in the selection of an antidepressant agent.
5. Compare and contrast the tricyclic antidepressants with the newer second and third-generation agents, such as the serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors, trazodone, bupropion, nefazodone, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine in terms of safety and tolerance in the elderly patient.
6. Outline the three phases of antidepressant pharmacotherapy and list the risk factors for recurrent depression.
7. Demonstrate familiarity with the recently released guidelines for the treatment of depression in late life, such as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guidelines and the American Medical Directors Association guidelines.
8. Describe the role of the health care practitioner in screening and monitoring elderly patients receiving antidepressants.
Target Audience
Geriatric health-care practitioners
Accreditation
At this time we are offering CE for pharmacists only. The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.
First Release Date: March 1998
Second Release date: July 2002
Expiration Date: July 2005
This program (Program {INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM NUMBER #203-999-02-601-H01)} qualifies for 0.15 CEUs (1.5 contact hours) of continuing pharmacy education. CEUs will be awarded provided that the participant reviews this site and scores 70% or better on the post test that follows. To receive a statement of credit, please complete the examination and evaluation that follows this program. A statement will be awarded and mailed to you within 4-6 weeks.
The information provided in these programs is intended solely for the continuing educational needs of health-care practitioners. The medications discussed in these programs have Food and Drug Administration approval in the US. Individuals should not exclusively rely upon the information provided in these programs.
The continuing education programs are offered ãas is.ä Geriatric Consultant Resources, LLC disclaims all warranties and representations, express or implied, with respect to the programs and the information contained therein, including without limitation any and all warranties of title, non infringement, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, Geriatric Consultant Resources LLC shall not be responsible for any inaccuracy or omission in the information contained in the programs, and shall have no liability whatsoever of any kind resulting from any claim or action arising out of the use of the programs.
