Grant to fund training for care of elderly
The Division of Geriatric Medicine at Pitt's School of Medicine has been awarded a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) to help train ophthalmologists in how to better care for older adults.
Hollis Day, assistant professor in the geriatric medicine division and geriatric resident education coordinator, said: "The elderly may have difficulties with their medical adherence and their post-operative needs may be different. If these problems can be identified early, the ophthalmologist may be better able to treat the patient."
As part of the grant, geriatric attending physicians will accompany UPMC ophthalmology residents in selected clinics. Geriatricians also will accompany ophthalmologists to nursing homes visited by one of the ophthalmology attending physicians.
Gary N. Foulks, professor and chairman of ophthalmology, said: "Cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eye, glaucoma and other abnormalities increase with advancing age, making it essential for our trainees to learn how to evaluate and treat elderly patients."
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