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The incidence of neurocognitive disorders, which may impair the ability of older adults to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), rises with age. Depressive symptoms are also common in older adults and may affect ADLs. Safe storage and utilization of firearms are complex ADLs, which require intact judgment, executive function, and visuospatial ability, and may be affected by cognitive impairment. Depression or cognitive impairment may cause paranoia, delusions, disinhibition, apathy, or aggression and thereby limit the ability to safely utilize firearms. These problems may be superimposed upon impaired mobility, arthritis, visual impairment, or poor balance. Inadequate attention to personal protection may also cause hearing impairment and accidents. In this article, we review the data on prevalence of firearms access among older adults; safety concerns due to age-related conditions; barriers to addressing this problem; indications prompting screening for firearms access; and resources available to patients, caregivers, and health care providers.

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Adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD) are now living to late life. Whether geriatricians are being trained to provide care for this clinically complex subpopulation of elders has not been examined. Two thirds of all geriatric fellowship directors in the United States responded to a Web-based survey of curriculum and training in this area. Forty-four percent rated training in this area as "important" or "very important," but only 26% of directors rated their graduates as moderately or highly competent in caring for elders with IDD. We report our survey findings and implications for future curricular development.

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This century will bring an explosion in the geriatric population aged 65 and older, with those over 80 the fastest growing group. Falls, vehicle collisions, burns, and abuse are traumatic events that our geriatric patients may be susceptible to and from which they may not recover. Primary care providers should enhance their understanding of the complex issues of geriatric trauma to facilitate prevention and to assist the patient's recovery to normal function, addressing barriers such as immobility, pain, malnutrition, and acute confusion. Improved outcomes require combined efforts of disciplines and specialties intervening for optimal management for older trauma patients from pre-hospital care through rehabilitation or end-of-life issues.

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BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries in older patients are complex and have significant impact on the individual, their family, and trauma centers. We hypothesized that greater attention to the timely identification and comprehensive management of comorbid conditions would improve outcomes in the care of the older injured patient. METHODS: This was a prospective, descriptive study of all patients 65 years of age and older admitted to the trauma service. Each elder was seen by a specialist in geriatrics ideally within 24 hours of admission to the trauma service. A standardized consult was developed for the electronic medical record and utilized in every case. Data were obtained from the trauma registry to characterize the nature of injury, injury severity, and outcome. Data from the geriatric consult were compiled to determine the impact of age- associated conditions on the outcome. RESULTS: There were 285 injured patients, aged 65 years and older. Of these, 114 were seen in consultation. Age range was 65 to 96 years, with an average of 77.7 years. Injury Severity Score range was 3 to 75, with an average of 9.3. There were an equal number of male and female patients. Falls and motor vehicle collisions predominated. Geriatricians identified the following: 14% of patients presented with alcohol issues; 36% of patients exhibited signs of delirium; and 46% of patients presented with new medical conditions. Geriatricians assisted with advanced care planning in 15% of cases; disposition decisions to promote function in 49%; made medication changes in 65%; decreased inappropriate medications in 20%; and assisted with pain management in 42%. Trauma surgeons followed one or more recommendations in 91%. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of older patients can be improved through geriatricians' expertise by addressing new and existing medical issues and reducing hospital-acquired complications such as functional decline, falls, delirium, and death.

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The aim of this paper is to present the Lithuanian experience in creating a geriatric care system with the hope that it can be of some use to other countries undergoing similar transitions and changes. The Lithuanian population is old with 20% of the population being 60 years and older, and 15% being 65 years and older, with the trend toward a rapidly aging society. In 1990, Soviet rule in Lithuania ceased and the country regained its independence. With its recent acceptance into the European Union, the nation has set goals to meet the recommended requirements for the care of the elderly. The changes began with specialist training in gerontology and geriatrics, and were an essential first step to bridge the gap between the real and the future needs. Later, the Geriatric Care System Development Program was approved by the Ministry of Health. Despite its difficult past, Lithuania is confronting the challenges of health and social care of the aging population. It is embracing the opportunities to initiate policies and related measures to meet these challenges, and is potentially setting an example of good practice as a new European community.

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