Duke Geriatrics Update: Promoting Healthy Aging in Durham and Beyond

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DOM Division Updates Geriatrics

By Cathleen Colón-Emeric, MD, MHS
Chief, Division of Geriatrics

September is Healthy Aging Month – a national observance celebrating the positive aspects of growing older, promoting preventive strategies that improve health span, and spotlighting programs that support older adults in living well as they age. As healthcare providers caring for many ill and frail patients, it is easy for us to fall prey to ageist stereotypes.  But everyone on our Geriatrics team can tell you stories of patients who are skydiving, writing books, organizing community drives, raising grandchildren, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and generally living full, purposeful, happy lives in their eighth and ninth decades. While our division is (rightly) called on to help manage the most complex and vulnerable, we are equally engaged in promoting wellness for our “living national treasure” – our older citizens and neighbors.  Below are just a few ways the Division of Geriatrics is working to advance healthy aging in our community and nationally.

In Clinical Programs

  • Falls are a leading cause of injury, disability, and death in older adults. On the Move Clinic, led by Gerri Kanne, NP, helps older adults implement a personalized fall prevention plan to keep them safe and active. https://www.dukehealth.org/treatments/geriatric-medicine
  • Speaking of staying active, the Gerofit Program, developed by a team at the Durham VA now led by Katherine Hall, PhD, has been shown to reduce functional decline and disability, and is now being disseminated nationally. Most learners on our Geriatric Medicine rotation who have the opportunity to exercise with these amazing Vets sheepishly admit to getting bested by octogenarians in the gym. https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/pages/gerofit_Home.asp
  • Our Perioperative Optimization of Senior Health (POSH) program, led by medical director Shelley McDonald, DO, PhD, prepares older adults facing elective surgery to recover as quickly as possible through comprehensive geriatric assessment, pre-habilitation, nutrition, and education. Clinics operate at Duke University Hospital, Duke Raleigh, and the Durham VA. https://medicine.duke.edu/divisions/geriatrics/patient-care/duke-perioperative-optimization-senior-health

 

In Research

  • The Duke Pepper Center’s theme is to understand and promote reserve and resilience in older adults to help them resist or recover from physical stressors quickly and completely.  Join our research Works in Progress groups, or apply for a pilot project or career development award – RFAs open now!  https://agingcenter.duke.edu/pepper
  • The Duke/UNC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, led by Heather Whitson MD, MHS, focuses on modifiable factors across the lifespan that could prevent the development, progression, or experience of Alzheimer’s disease. Examples include exercise, oral health, sensory health, and avoiding environmental toxins. The outreach team conducted over 40 events in Eastern North Carolina in the last year to educate our local community about things we can all do to lower our dementia risk.
  • The Duke Aging Nutrition Lab, led by Connie Bales, RD, PhD,  and Kathryn Starr, RD, PhD, has a variety of studies underway to identify nutritional interventions to reduce the development of disability.
  • Vaccines are a cornerstone of preventive medicine, but their efficacy often wanes with age.  Research done by Kenneth Schmader, MD, and colleagues has developed adjuvanted and high dose vaccines for older adults that better protect against Shingles and Influenza.  Ken also serves on the CDC Adult Committee on Immunization Practices as the American Geriatrics Society representative to advocate for policies protecting our older patients.

 

In Community Partnerships and Advocacy

  • Geriatrics faculty Mitch Heflin, MD, MHS, serves on the Boards of Dementia Inclusive Durham Dementia Inclusive, Inc.  and Durham Senior Care Community Care while Nathan Boucher, MSW, PhD, serves on the Partnership for a Healthy Durham.  Both have contributed to the Durham Master Aging Plan https://healthydurham.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Durham-MAP_FINAL.pdf
  • Liza Genao, MD, serves on the board of the Durham Center for Senior Life, which has a rich offering of classes, exercise programs, and outreach for Durham Seniors. https://dcslnc.org/
  • Several Duke faculty members have served on the board and partner with Durham Senior PharmAssist, a free program available to counsel older adults on medication safety and adherence, improve access to medications, and advocate for policy change in coverage. https://www.seniorpharmassist.org/

In our Duke Family

It’s never too early to think about healthy aging!  Our Division hosts an (almost) monthly “GeriaTrek” hike for our Geriatrics team and their 2 and 4-legged family members to get outdoors and explore one of our area’s beautiful trails. All are welcome to join us - email cathleen.colonemeric@duke.edu if you would like to be added to our distribution list.

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