IPA - Australasia Regional Meeting, Rotorua, New Zealand, 5-8 April 2005
International
Psychogeriatric Association
in conjunction with the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (RANZCP)
Joint
Australasia Regional Meeting 2005
“From Fundamentals to Fascinations” – new perspectives on aging and mental
health
Rotorua Convention Centre
Rotorua, New Zealand
5-8 April 2005
A warm welcome to Rotorua, New Zealand!
The Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (FPOA) of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) warmly invite you “Down Under” to Rotorua, New Zealand for this regional conference. The theme is “From Fundamentals to Fascinations”. Both are vital in improving the mental health of older people.
Plenary sessions will highlight new developments and many of the fascinations in science. Don’t miss Richard Faull speaking on stem cell research and its implications for older people and Hans Förstl speaking on Alzheimer's disease. Helen Chui and Osvaldo Almeida, tackle current controversies in the final, thought-provoking plenary.
For the first time in either a Faculty or IPA meeting we will discuss a major fundamental, but very neglected, issue in the care of older people, namely persistent pain. Ranjan Roy from Canada and Stephen Gibson from Australia, two world renowned experts in chronic pain in old age, will address this important topic. The afternoon plenary sessions take a more practical “clinical dilemma” focus. Consumers and carers are becoming more important in service delivery worldwide. Richard Harvey will give a public lecture on “Consumer led research”.
If you have ever wanted to know more about neuroimaging don’t miss David Ames, John O’Brien and Patricia Desmond who present a practically based workshop. For the more psychotherapy orientated, Paul Merrick will present a workshop on the fundaments of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with older people. As well, Bruce Boman will lead a hands on workshop on the use of ECT in older people using a simulated patient.
The fundamentals and fascinations don’t stop with the scientific programme. Hospitality is very important for the country that is colloquially known as “God’s Own” where little excuse is needed for getting together with good food and conversation. We hope this conference will provide a great opportunity for sharing cultures, getting new ideas and networking, while enjoying the programme and social events.
New Zealand is a bicultural country and this is emphasized in Rotorua with its abundance of Maori culture. Maori leaders, the
Kaumatua, who carry tribal wisdom and history, will lead the opening ceremony or
powhiri. This will prove a most spiritual and moving experience.
Who should attend?
Family and general practitioners, geriatricians, psychiatrists of old age, clinical psychologists, nurses, social workers and other mental health professionals with an interest in the mental health of older people will benefit from attending this conference.
