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Recognizing and Managing Epilepsy and Seizures in an Eldercare Setting
Release Date: March 11, 2008
UAN: 203-999-08-002-C01-P
Medical Communications Media, Inc.
This program has been developed specifically for pharmacists, nursing directors, and nurses who care for patients in an eldercare setting.
1
Audioconference
Epilepsy in the elderly is much more common than once thought. Research shows that the incidence of epilepsy in people age 75 and over is higher than in the first ten years of life. In fact, up to 50 percent of new seizures occur in people over the age of 65 years. It is likely that the preponderance of new-onset epilepsy in the elderly is a consequence ofthe increasing numbers of elderly in the population. This problem is likely to increase as lifespan increases. Seniors are especially prone to seizure disorders because of their risk for stroke, dementia, and metabolic disturbances.
Senior care pharmacists and nurses, particularly those working in assisted living and long-term care facilities, all play a vital role in the management of epilepsy in the elderly. These busy practitioners need to know how to recognize the clinical manifestations of epilepsy specific to the elderly and understand how to design and administer appropriate and personalized care plans for residents diagnosed with epilepsy.
A long and growing list of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) remain the mainstay of pharmacotherapy for epilepsy. In the elderly, however, the mechanisms of these agents must be carefully considered. Providers must consider risk vs. benefit in the management of seizures, as well as drug-drug interactions, and other issues specific to the elderly, such as physiologic changes inherent in aging. Providers must understand the proper use of these agents, and the implications of adjusting dosing or switching from one AED to another. Educating providers on emerging data will help them to make informed decisions that are evidence-based and current, and help lessen the burden imposed on seniors by epilepsy.
Upon completion of this educational activity, the participant should be able to:
1.
Describe the causes of epilepsy and seizures in the elderly, and recognize the warning signs specific to this population
2.
Discuss the pharmacologic use of antiepileptic drug therapy as it relates to elderly residents with multiple comorbidities
3.
Describe ways to reduce drug-drug interactions and adverse effects when prescribing AED therapy in an eldercare setting
4.
Compare the potential benefits and harms of treatment discontinuation and outline appropriate ways to reduce or discontinue AED therapy in those who have been seizure free
Jerome P. Engel, Jr., MD, PhD
Jonathan Sinay Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Neurobiology, and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
Director, UCLA Seizure Disorder Center
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Los Angeles, California
William R. Garnett, PharmD
Professor of Pharmacy and Neurology
Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical College of Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This program (ACPE # 203-999-08-002-C01-P) was developed by ASCP and is approved for 1.0 Contact Hour (0.1 CEU).
NADONA/LTC is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by Georgia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation #1087. This program provides 1 contact hour by NADONA/LTC.
Participants must successfully complete the post test (70% or higher) and submit an evaluation to receive credit. A statement of credit will be available immediately if the post-test and evaluation are completed online, or mailed within 4-6 weeks if they are submitted by mail.
This program is supported by an educational grant from Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., administered by Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC.
$0.00
