Jason Schillerstrom, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry in the School of Medicine, will discuss self-neglect and ethics at the Medico-Legal Conference.
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The 2011 Medico-Legal Conference on Aging, set for Sept. 29-30 in San Antonio, will tackle medical and legal issues surrounding the elderly — including self-neglect, medical management of abused elders, planning for future care needs and reverse mortgages, to name a few.

The conference, at the San Antonio Airport Hilton, is “a unique fusion of two disparate disciplines coming together for a common cause: helping the aged safely navigate their final years with the dignity, grace and wellness they’ve earned,” said Michèle Saunders, D.M.D., a dentist with appointments in the School of Medicine and School of Health Professions at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio.

The South Texas Geriatric Education Center (STGEC) and the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) are sponsors of the Medico-Legal Conference on Aging. Dr. Saunders, fellowship trained in geriatric dentistry, is project director of the STGEC, a partnership of the Health Science Center and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. She also is associate director of the GRECC in the VA.

Speakers and topics
Jason Schillerstrom, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, will discuss self-neglect and ethics. Lyda Arevalo-Flechas, Ph.D., RN, assistant professor in Texas State University’s St. David’s School of Nursing, will speak on “Preventing Elder Abuse by Caring for the Caregiver.” John Halphen, M.D., J.D., of UT Health in Houston, will discuss medical management of victims of elder abuse.

Some of the area’s best legal minds such as Patty Sitchler, Carol Bertsch, Kelly Cross and Matt Spahn will speak on timely topics such as “Protecting Patients’/Clients’ Wills & Trusts,” “Guardianship Trials & Tribulations,” “Planning for Future Care Needs,” “Reverse Mortgages” and “What You Need to Know About Texas’ New Guardianship and Probate Laws.”

Moreover, chaplains will speak on the “Role of Spirituality in Palliative Care Counseling” and local government agencies such as Adult Protective Services will educate attendees on how to detect, prevent and manage elder abuse.

Credits for CME, CNE, legal, ethics
Conference attendees can earn up to 14.0 AMA PRA (American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award) Category 1 Credits™ or 10.3 hours of continuing nursing education credits through the Health Science Center. This course is accredited by the Texas State Bar CLE (continuing legal education) for a total of 14.0 contact hours. The course is also approved by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, the Guardianship Certification Board and the Texas State Board of Social Workers Examiners for 14.6 contact hours. Ethics credits also will be offered.

This year’s conference is a combination of what are usually two separate events: the Medico-Legal Conference and the Aging Conference. The cost for state and federal employees has been reduced to $50 per day. Parking, lunches and snacks are included.

The event is open to everyone in the legal and health professions, enabling interaction with other professionals who perform a related job — albeit from the other side of the fence.

To register, contact the South Texas Geriatric Education Center at 210-562-6560, 210-562-6561 or gilesb@uthscsa.edu.