IPA Press Releases

Any investment in older persons is an investment in ourselves

VANCOUVER (August 20) - The ninth biennial congress of the International Psychogeriatric Association, which concludes here today, identified "quality of life" for an aging population as an imperative just as vexing and worthy as longevity itself. Many eminent physicians expressed variations on the same theme: "we are living longer, but are we living better?"

"We face the problem of our success," said Dr. Edmond Chiu of Melbourne, Australia, who will become IPA’s new president at closing ceremonies today. He cited "very successful efforts" by the World Health Organization in public health within the third world, and the rapid development of medical science elsewhere, as keeping people alive much longer. "This creates a new set of problems."

Dr. Alastair Burns of Manchester, England, who becomes "president-elect" of IPA for a two-year term, suggested that in this, the International Year of Older Persons, no one should feel exempt. "An investment in older persons is the best investment we can make in ourselves. Everyone hopes to age long enough to enjoy healthy senior years."

About 2,000 of the world’s leading physicians, scientists and related health professionals attended the congress, which opened Sunday. The focus was on mental health of the aging, depression, the dementias such as Alzheimer’s and related issues.

Dr. Chiu said his highest priority will be to encourage the development of geriatric mental health education and for the "upskilling" of general practitioners. While conscientious family physicians worldwide have made efforts to keep pace with new knowledge, there is a great job to be done. "This is the front line," Dr. Chiu said. "Geriatric psychiatry was simply not taught when most of today’s doctors went to medical school."

The Congress identified needs all over the world for research, professional development, facilities and other resources. In affluent societies the postwar baby boom will soon loom as a geriatric challenge. In developing countries, life expectancy is growing at a faster pace than professional and physical resources.

IPA’s Tenth Congress will be held in the year 2001 in Nice, France.