Geriantology

Cardio-oncology – The Intersection Between Heart and Cancer Care

Cardio-oncology – The Intersection Between Heart and Cancer Care

Cardio-oncology is a rapidly emerging subspecialty that has gained momentum due to increasing insights into how cancer and its various treatment options can adversely affect the cardiovascular (CV) system. Many modern cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, carry significant risk of cardiotoxicity, which can manifest acutely or many years after treatment. Cardio-oncology focuses on the different aspects of CV care for patients with cancer who are undergoing or who have completed cancer treatment and involves optimisation and management of CV health, early detection of cardiac complications of cancer treatment and long-term follow up and surveillance.

February 1, 2026 by Cardiology Geriantology Oncology

The Ravages of Prolonged Bed Rest | An Update on Multidisciplinary Care for the Deconditioned Patient

The Ravages of Prolonged Bed Rest | An Update on Multidisciplinary Care for the Deconditioned Patient

Deconditioning describes functional decline, progressive weakness and physiological changes that result from prolonged bed rest and inactivity. Frailty is a syndrome in which age-related physiological changes
are accelerated or exacerbated in multiple systems. Multisystem changes can occur within 24 hours of bed rest; these changes worsen with prolonged inactivity, potentially requiring more time to reverse (where possible). Deconditioning is more likely in patients who experience frailty. Due to the complexities
of these conditions, optimal management involves a multidisciplinary team comprised of GPs, specialists and allied health professionals.

February 1, 2026 by Geriantology

Understanding and Treating Pain in the Elderly

Understanding and Treating Pain in the Elderly – MM1606

Painful conditions are among the most common reasons for older people to present for medical attention. Pain is not a normal part of ageing; its high prevalence in older people is secondary to the burden of pathology. A person’s response to analgesics is variable, with many being poor or non-responders.

Ineffective or poorly tolerated analgesics should be withdrawn before another medication is trialled. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended when usual approaches have failed as no single therapy has been shown to alleviate persistent pain in most patients.

Modern Medicine – June 2016

June 30, 2016 by Geriantology Gerontology Pain

Diabetes Management in Aged Care Facilities | Meeting the Challenges

Diabetes Management in Aged Care Facilities | Meeting the Challenges – MM1606

Diabetes is a common disease that GPs will encounter in patients in institutional care, particularly residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Elderly patients with diabetes benefit from a team approach to management.
The approach to diabetes management should be tailored to each individual patient. Institutions are not all the same: in-house staffing, supports and services vary and need to be well understood to manage chronic diseases effectively. In elderly people with a short life expectancy, excessively tight diabetes control is not recommended. De-prescribing can be difficult but should be considered for every older person with diabetes in institutional care.

Modern Medicine – June 2016

June 30, 2016 by Diabetes Geriantology Gerontology
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