UT School of Nursing Conference
Focuses on “Protecting Our Elderly,” Sept. 14
HOUSTON – (Aug. 6, 2007) – Gerontologist Carmel B. Dyer, M.D., will give the keynote address at the 21st Annual Selenia E. and Joseph C. Valley Conference, which will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 at the University of Houston Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, 4800 Calhoun Street.
Carmel B. Dyer, M.D.
Dyer, director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, is an author of a new study of “self-neglect” among older persons published in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
Researchers examined the medical and testing records for 538 adults diagnosed with self-neglect whom Adult Protective Services in Houston referred to a geriatrics medical team. Two-thirds of these older adults were found to have health problems that kept them from functioning normally, and half scored poorly on mental health tests. Nearly 95 percent of the patients lacked adequate social support from family, caregivers or others.
“Some elderly persons who self-neglect simply lack access to support services, whereas others either refuse help or who – when provided access to services – cannot complete the tasks necessary to obtain them,” said Dyer, who holds the UT Medical School’s Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Chair in Gerontology.
The Sept. 14 conference, sponsored by The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston’s Center on Aging, will explore “Protecting Our Elderly – Recognizing and Preventing Elder Abuse and Neglect: Community & Residential Consideration” with an agenda of guest speakers and panel discussions.
Dyer, will be honored at the conference awards luncheon as the Gerontological Professional of the Year. Charlene Hunter James, director of the Harris County Area Agency on Aging, will be honored as the Community Advocate of the Year.
Conference registration is $75 or $50 for students. Nursing and Social Work continuing education credits and a certificate of attendance are available.
For more information, call 713-500-9921.