IPA Press Releases

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Contact: Julie Semancik or Beth Schlesinger
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+1.312.558.1770

Editors: Please note that healthcare professionals can register online at  www.ipa-online.net/2003congress. (Media should contact Julie Semancik at +1.312.558.1770 for registration information.)

IMPROVING THE MENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOCUS OF IPA 11TH CONGRESS
Healthcare Professionals from Around the World Meet in Chicago 17-22 Aug. 2003

Skokie, IL – 9 May 2003 – Since 1982 when the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) held its first Congress of the Mental Health of the Elderly, healthcare professionals from around the globe have come together to present research and share their insights on this specialized field of medicine. This year, Chicago will host the 17-22 Aug. scientific exchange, “Enhancing the Human Connection in the Age of New Technologies: Implications and Opportunities for the Aging.”

Highlights of the Congress include new scientific innovations in drug development, molecular biology and the genome project – advances that are leading the way to a better, healthier life for older people. Other highlights of the scientific programming include: 

• How do these innovations affect the elderly in our health care systems? Our values? Our spirituality?
• What are the implications of extending the life span? 
• What are the psychogeriatric issues of centenarians?
• How do we cope - as individuals, families, and societies - with five and even six generational families? 
• How will these changes affect older people in different countries? 
• What challenges will there be between the generations within a country - and between different countries?  
• Alzheimer’s disease, mood disorders and late life psychosis
• Future of psychogeriatric medicine

Psychiatrists, geriatricians, neurologists, nurses and other allied professionals are expected to attend the biennial Congress, which will be held at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. Healthcare professionals can find more information about the Congress and register online at www.ipa-online.net/2003congress.

The IPA is recognized as the world’s leading multidisciplinary, not-for-profit organization providing healthcare professionals and scientists with current information on the full range of behavioral and biological geriatric mental health. IPA works actively to promote research in the field, and to facilitate international consensus and understanding of mental health in aging. The association, which has members from 75 countries, is based in Skokie, Illinois.