Secrets of Successful Cognitive and Emotional Aging

While physical illnesses and disabilities become more common with aging, several cognitive and emotional aspects of functioning improve in later life. I will present data on the positive states (well-being, happiness) and traits (resilience, optimism, wisdom) in relation to mental and physical health across the lifespan. Recommendations for successful cognitive and emotional aging will be discussed under the umbrella of Positive Psychiatry.

Dilip V. Jeste, MD

Synopsis

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Recognize the associations of positive psychological factors (wisdom, social engagement) with brain health
• Understand the process of neuroplasticity of adulthood
• Apply strategies to promote successful cognitive and emotional aging

Is the Risk for Alzheimer's and Dementia on the Decline?: Epidemiological Evidence from Around the World

Kenneth Langa, MD, PhD

Synopsis
A growing number of epidemiological studies from countries around the world have found that the age-specific risk for dementia may have declined over the last 25 years, possibly due to increasing levels of education and better control of key cardiovascular risk factors. This presentation will review those studies, and their implications for understanding the current and future burden of dementia on patients, families, and society.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Understand the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
• Understand recent evidence regarding trends in the prevalence and incidence of dementia in the United States and other countries around the world
• Understand the implications of the growing population of older adults on the total societal burden of dementia around the world.

Schizophrenia, Aging, and Cognitive Impairment

Contrary to the Kraepelinian construct of dementia praecox, cognitive functioning in schizophrenia remains stable, albeit at an impaired level, and psychosocial functioning tends to improve with aging in persons receiving adequate treatment. Behavioral interventions have an important role to play in these individuals. Recommendations for optimal management of schizophrenia in later life will be presented.

Dilip V. Jeste, MD

Synopsis

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Understand the nature of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia
• Learn about changes in the course of schizophrenia with aging
• Apply strategies for improving brain health in people with schizophrenia

Alzheimer Drug Discovery, Past, Present and Future

Howard Chertkow, MD, FRCP, FCAHS

Synopsis

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

Brain Aging and Its Modifiers: Predictors of Cognitive Impairment and Resilience

Susan M. Resnick, MD (National Institute on Aging, Baltimore)

Synopsis
Studies of cognitive and brain aging in individuals without cognitive impairment may include cognitively normal individuals who subsequently develop a variety of diseases. This presentation will describe longitudinal brain changes in individuals who remain free of cognitive impairment and contrast them with accelerated changes in older adults who develop subsequent impairment. In addition, both risk and protective factors that modify brain aging and amyloid-beta pathology, measured in vivo with PET scanning, will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

1. Describe the brain changes in individuals who remain free of cognitive impairment and dementia, compared with those who develop cognitive impairment.
2. Identify several key factors that are associated with accelerated brain aging and Alzheimer’s type neuropathology.
3. Identify factors that may be associated with cognitive resilience despite the presence of risk factors for dementia.

Identification and Treatment of Vascular Risk Factors to Reduce Dementia Risk

Charles DeCarli, MD, FAAN

Synopsis
Vascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia are common to our population.  The cognitive consequences of these risk factors are fairly well established, but the efficacy of treatment strategies remains controversial.  During my talk I will address impact of various risk factors on brain structure and cognition and propose a strategy for identification and treatment of individuals at greatest likelihood to benefit.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Describe the timing and effects of vascular risk factors on the brain
• Describe the timing and extent of cognitive effects of vascular injury
• Present methods to recognize high risk individuals who may benefit for treatment
• Discuss the pros and cons of various treatments

Biomarkers for the Dementias:-Are We Ready and Can We Afford Precision Medicine?

Sandra E. Black, OC, OOnt, MD, FRCPC, FRSC, FAAN, FAHA, FANA

Synopsis
Precision Medicine refers to treatment of medical disorders taking into account individual variability in genetic, endophenotypic, and environmental factors. It hinges on advancement in the use of biomarkers, which enable earlier identification of pre-symptomatic disease, and facilitate prophylactic measures to prevent or delay symptom onset. Biomarkers refer to measures reflecting cellular and biochemical components of body fluids and tissues, imaging of brain structures, cerebral blood flow and functional activation. Biomarkers may also reflect electrophysiological activity and data derived from wearable technologies such as measures of mobility, physical activity, cardiac and circadian rhythms. Such measures can detect pathological changes that indicate the full spectrum of disease development, from risk factors and silent pathologies, to clinically manifest disease and disability. Advances in molecular biology techniques enable detection of genetic risk markers and biochemical abnormalities at birth and throughout life that may allow individualized treatments to modify disease course.  Biomarker-driven approaches are advancing quickly in cancer and cardiovascular disease, and are emerging in the field of dementia. Biomarkers can also identify targets for therapeutic intervention, for monitoring individual patterns of progression and response to therapies. The complex etiologies underlying the common dementias often involve multiple misfolded proteins combined with vascular pathologies which increase relentlessly with age. This poses a major challenge as combination therapies, including non-pharmacological approaches, will likely be necessary for effective personalized management throughout the lifespan.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Summarize major advances in biomarker discovery in Alzheimer’s and other dementias, focusing on blood and CSF, genetics, and imaging advances. 
• Review diagnostic criteria and disease staging based on biomarkers, which are changing the approach to disease detection from presymptomatic to prodromal and symptomatic disease.
• Overview biomarker approaches to target discovery and clinical trials,  and consider societal issues around cost-effectiveness of personalized medicine approaches

Caregivers: Characteristics, Experiences and Evidence-Based Approaches to Supporting Caregivers

Dallas Seitz, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Synopsis
Caregivers (or care partners) are an important source of support for persons who are affected by dementia. This session will provide an overview of the characteristics of individuals who are caregivers of persons living with dementia. The experiences of caregivers and factors associated with stress or burden in the caregiving role will be explored. Finally, evidence-based approaches to supporting caregivers will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Describe the characteristics of caregivers of persons with dementia
• Analyze some of the factors associated with caregiver stress or burden
• Understand evidence-based approaches that have been shown to positively affect caregiver outcomes

Extraordinary Steps: What’s Unique about Falls and Falls Prevention in Advanced Dementia

Andrea Iaboni, MD DPhil FRCPC

Synopsis
Decline in mobility is a symptom of dementia that impacts on function, safety, caregiving and quality of life. Falls become increasingly common as individuals reach the advanced stage of dementia. Most fall prevention evidence is based on research in older adults with no or mild cognitive impairment, which may not apply to those at more advanced stages of the disease. In this presentation, I will review the literature on falls in the advanced stage of dementia, including evidence-based falls prevention interventions, discuss a palliative approach to falling in this population, and present my recent research on the development of dementia-specific mobility staging tools and technology for monitoring falls risk.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• List dementia-related falls risk factors
• Describe evidence-based falls prevention approaches in the advanced stage of dementia
• Discuss challenges in balancing safety and autonomy in the management of falls in advanced dementia

Safe Patient/Safe Staff Optimizing the Care of Hospitalized Elderly with Co-Morbid Dementia

Lesley Wiesenfeld, MD, MHCM, FRCPC

Synopsis
This session will highlight a programmatic approach to improving the care of older adults with dementia in the general hospital setting. The session will highlight adaptation and incorporation of GPA, HQO Quality Aims for Dementia and Choosing Wisely guidance for this setting as well as the complexities of applying best practices for dementia in a heterogeneous setting. The session will also highlight key patient and staff safety issues for the general hospital care of elderly with dementia.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• List the challenges of providing dementia-sensitive care in the hospital setting.
• Describe interventions for dementia-care improvement in the heterogeneous medical and surgical settings.
• Discuss the implications and adaptations for your clinical setting.

Corticobasal Syndrome, Progressive
Supranuclear Palsy and Huntington's Disease

Mario Masellis, MSc, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Synopsis
This session will provide a high level overview of the clinical symptoms, signs, neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry, and pathophysiology of Corticobasal Syndrome, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Huntington's Disease. Similarities and differences will be highlighted across these disorders.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• List the most common clinical features and findings of CBS, PSP and HD
• Describe pathogenetic mechanisms of CBS, PSP and HD
• Develop a clinical approach to diagnosing these disorders

Posterior Cortical Atrophy

David F. Tang-Wai, MDCM, FRCPC

Synopsis
This session will review the clinical presentation of posterior cortical atrophy, its diagnostic evaluation, and most common causes. The new international diagnostic criteria will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Recognize posterior cortical atrophy in the outpatient setting

• Know the international diagnostic criteria for posterior cortical atrophy

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Carmela Tartaglia, MD

Synopsis
"Chronic traumatic encephalopathy” (CTE) is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease manifesting years after concussive events and includes psychiatric, cognitive and motor symptoms. Clinically and pathologically, CTE resembles other neurodegenerative diseases and so ante-mortem diagnosis is currently very difficult. There is growing evidence that professional and amateur athletes are at high risk of CTE. This session will highlight some of the difficulties when encountering patients with possible CTE and the ongoing search for biomarkers for in vivo CTE.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Discuss signs and symptoms of concussion and post-concussion syndrome
• Describe CTE signs and symptoms
• Discuss the relation between CTE and neurodegenerative disease

Symposium on Integrating Ethical, Legal and Clinical Best Practices Associated with Sexual Expression in Dementia

Ann M. Heesters, BEd, BA, MA, PhD(ABD)
Lori Schindel Martin, RN, PhD
Judith A. Wahl, BA, LLB

Synopsis
This symposium will review the ethical principles, legal issues and best practice approaches related to sexual intimacy of older adults with dementia living in congregate care. These principles, issues and approaches can seem contradictor, yet they ALL must be carefully considered when family and professional caregivers are engaged in decision-making and care-planning. The symposium will cover a) important legal requirements such as consent, mental capacity and duty of care; b) essential ethical consideration such as human rights; and c) necessary best practices associated with assessment and interpretation of sexually responsive behaviour in long-term care settings

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Describe the ethical, legal and clinical best practices needed for decision-making around sexually responsive behaviour in dementia
• Explain the requirement for consent in Ontario as being provided ONLY by the persons
• Understand the challenges in determining capacity for consent by persons living with dementia
• Discuss the duty of care of congregate living providers with respect to the legal, ethical and clinical assessment requirements of persons living with dementia
• Discuss implications for acceptable and feasible “real world” care planning

Driving Cessation and Dementia: An Intervention Framework and Toolkit (CCNA)

Gary Naglie, MD, FRCPC, FGSA

Synopsis
This session will summarize the work to date of the Driving and Dementia research team of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA). Our research team has used a multi-methods approach to synthesize data from the literature and stakeholder interviews to develop an intervention framework for supporting driving cessation decision-making and coping post-driving cessation for people with dementia and their family caregivers. We have also curated available tools and resources that relate to each of the elements of the intervention framework.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Understand the challenges of driving cessation in people with dementia.
• Become familiar with the important elements of an intervention framework for driving cessation.
• Become familiar with the availability of tools and resources supporting a driving cessation intervention framework.

Dementia, Frailty and Social Vulnerability: An Update from the CCNA

Melissa K. Andrew, MD, PhD, MSc(PH), FRCPC

Synopsis
For older adults, the risk of developing dementia is related to a puzzling number of factors, including co-morbidities and social context. The goal of Team 14 of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging is to address this complexity. In this session, we will discuss an overview of findings as we begin to piece together how frailty, brain health, sex & gender, and social context all interrelate to influence outcomes including cognition and quality of life.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Describe how older people’s frailty and social context influence their cognitive outcomes.
• Discuss sex and gender differences in dementia risk and experience of illness, including why dementia is more common in women than in men.
• Appreciate the implications of frailty for dementia management in clinical practice.

The Future of Dementia Care: Socially Assistive Robots That Can Help Provide Care (AGE WELL)

Goldie Nejat, PhD, PEng

Synopsis
Now more than ever, robots are seen as a unique strategic technology that will become an important part of society. One main motivation for incorporating intelligent robots into society is our increasing elderly population. Globally we are facing severe demographic challenges due to a low population growth rate coupled with an aging population.  This talk will present some of our recent research efforts in developing intelligent assistive robots for the elderly and their integration into health monitoring, and social and cognitive interventions. The potential impact of these robots to our health and elderly care programs is significant as they address two important healthcare challenges: 1) the significant increase in the number of people that need care, and 2) the existing shortage of health human resources in both hospitals and care facilities. The ability of such robots to autonomously provide cognitive and social stimuli, guidance, and support, and serve as general assistance to individuals as well as groups of users will be discussed. Socially assistive robots can assist in therapeutic interventions and provide assistance with activities of daily living for people suffering from cognitive impairments, and they can also aid in preventing depression and improving vital signs via their social interaction capabilities. Studies conducted during human-robot interaction scenarios with our autonomous human-like assistive robots Brian, Tangy and Casper will also be discussed. This talk will also include demonstrations of the robots developed by the ASBLab (asblab.mie.utoronto.ca) research team.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Learn about the emerging field of socially assistive robots and how these robots can provide help through social interactions
• Identify the current state-of-the-art in socially assistive robots
• Recognize the types of assistance that socially assistive robots can provide older adults and their caregivers in order to benefit quality of life
• Identify the economic, social and health impacts of integrating socially assistive robots within our healthcare systems
• Recognize future directions and the increasing global need for the development and integration of assistive robotic technologies

Can we be Optimistic? The Global State of Dementia Planning and Why a Global Dementia Observatory is of Value to You

Saskia Sivananthan, MSc, PhD

Synopsis
Dementia is a global public health burden with serious social and economic costs. While we do not yet have a cure for dementia, there have been significant developments in our understanding of the disease, and most importantly, in how to care for people with dementia. This session will provide an overview of ongoing work on dementia occurring globally and insights into the WHO’s Global Dementia Observatory, a platform designed to be more than a monitoring database, but to function as a knowledge and data exchange platform for healthcare professionals and policymakers to share ideas and learn. At the end of the session you can decide, do we have reason to be optimistic about the future of dementia?

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• List some of the global initiatives occurring to raise dementia awareness
• Describe the WHO Global Dementia Observatory
• Decide whether we have reason to be optimistic about the future of dementia

The Fountain of Health Initiative: An Unique Canadian Strategy to Promote Brain Health and Resilience

Keri-Leigh Cassidy, MD, FRCPC

Synopsis
The Fountain of Health is a national initiative to promote physical and brain health and psychosocial resilience, and is leading the positive psychiatry movement in Canada. This non-profit organization led by academic geriatric psychiatry is in partnership with key national health and advocacy organizations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Coalition of Seniors Mental Health. The Fountain of Health (FoH) translates the current science of brain health and psychosocial resilience to the public, and to healthcare providers to promote health behaviour change in routine clinical care. Adoption of FoH tools supports clinicians’ efforts to improve patients’ health behaviours and health outcomes.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

1. Describe positive psychiatry, a new branch of the field dedicated to the neuroscience of brain health and resilience
2. Describe the Fountain of Health (FoH) as an unique Canadian initiative to promote physical and brain health and psychosocial resilience
3. Explain the five key modifiable health risk factors outlined by the FoH (physical, social and cognitive activity, mental health care and outlook on aging) and the range of FoH resources available to clinicians and patients.

Debate: Medical Assistance in Dying should be available to incapable patients who, when capable, had requested it through a rigorous process of advance consent

Con - James Downar, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC
Pro - Shanaaz Gokool, BA

Challenging Cases in Palliative Care in Dementia

Ruth Ellen, BScH, MD, FRCPC
James Downar, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC

Synopsis
In this workshop, we will discuss the trajectory of late-stage dementia, and common clinical and decision-related challenges that patients, families and clinicians face as patient near the end of their life. We will also talk about challenges in applying the prevalent model of palliative care provision to patients with dementia. We will present strategies for overcoming these challenges, including models of care that address specific issues that arise in dementia and frailty.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Understand the implications of late-stage dementia in the trajectory of the illness.
• Prepare patients and/or families for common decisions in the terminal phase of dementia.
• Understand how palliative care differs in dementia and frailty
• Review newer approaches to implementing a palliative approach in patients with dementia and frailty

An Approach to Rapidly Progressive Dementias

David F. Tang-Wai, MDCM, FRCPC

Synopsis
This workshop will review the evaluation of rapidly progressive dementias through the use of clinical cases.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Define rapidly progressive dementia and review broad diagnostic causes
• Discuss diagnostic approach to and treatment considerations for rapidly progressive dementia

Beyond Cognitive Enhancers: Practical Tips to Optimize Medications for Persons with Dementia in Primary Care

Linda Lee, MD, MClSc(FM), CCFP(COE), FCFP
Tejal Patel, BScPharm, PharmD

Synopsis
Because persons with dementia face particular challenges with medication use such as adherence, use of potentially inappropriate medications, disease-drug interactions and polypharmacy, optimizing pharmacotherapy is an important task for the primary care clinician. This workshop focuses on a practical approach to medication management in the cognitively-impaired older adult.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Describe ways to detect and manage medication non-adherence
• Describe ways to optimize use of appropriate medications and minimize use of problematic medications in persons with dementia
  • De-prescribe medications with potential cognitive adverse effects
  • Review appropriate targets for hypertension and glycemic control
  • Ensure appropriate monitoring of persons on cognitive enhancers

Sexuality and Dementia: Ensuring Best Practice in Long-Term Care

Lori Schindel Martin, RN, PhD

Synopsis
This workshop will review the clinical procedures necessary for best practice surrounding sexuality and dementia in long-term care homes. Assessment and documentation tools, data analysis, inter-professional team decision-making and family involvement will be discussed.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• List assessment and documentation tools for sexually responsive behaviour
• Describe process through which an inter-professional team can interpret data and engage in evidence-informed decision-making
• Discuss implications for acceptable and feasible care planning

Guiding, Abiding and Occasionally Deciding: Ethical supports in Caring for those with Dementia

Ann M. Heesters, BEd, BA, MA, PhD(ABD)
Kevin Rodrigues, MTS

Synopsis
This workshop will introduce participants to tools for navigating ethical issues arising in the care of patients with dementia. We will be using a case-based approach to demonstrate the application of these tools. In addition to using diverse cases from our experience, we welcome participants to bring cases of their own to engage in discussion and shared problem-solving.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Use the language of ethics to describe some of the challenges they meet in caring for persons with dementia
• Apply some new tools/thinking to resolve seemingly intractable problems.

The Collaborative Approach to Managing Behavioural Symptoms of Dementia

James Chau, CCFP(COE), FCFP
Lisa Van Bussell, MD, FRCPC
Monica Bretzlaff, BA, TRS
Shannon Cadieux, BScN, NP

Synopsis
The workshop will be a refresher on the holistic team assessment and management of behavioural symptoms as it relates to those people living with dementia. Current best practices, emerging innovations, and impact on caregivers will be discussed.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• List the most common neuropsychiatric/behavioural symptoms as it relates to individuals with dementia.
• Describe team assessment of behavioural symptoms and development of a management plan.
• Discuss the implications for clinical practice as it relates to new and emerging strategies, and impact on caregivers.

Solving the mystery of misfolded protein – Join us for a game of Clue (who, how, where) with Professors Alzheimer, Lewy and Pick

Sandra E. Black, OC, OOnt, MD, FRCP(C), FRSC, FAAN, FAHA, FANA
Benjamin Lam

Synopsis
Diagnosing dementia is increasingly complicated, with mixed diagnoses, clinical mimicry, and pre-symptomatic, biomarker-positive worried well patients coming into clinical care. In this workshop we’ll tackle these issues through a series of illustrative case studies and invite controversial discussion.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Review current concepts around dementia diagnosis, including co-pathology, and biomarker use, including cost-benefit considerations for molecular PET
• Explore challenges in a series of illustrative cases
• Discuss how dementia diagnostics can be implemented, and debate whether they will enhance, and how they should be incorporated, into clinical care and research

Smart Home Technology for Dementia

Frank Knoefel, Lili Liu, Nathalie Bier

Synopsis
The session will present a system developed in Ottawa, to decrease wandering at night, decreasing risk of morbidity and mortality in PWD, and to improve sleep quality in the caregiver by providing night surveillance.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Identify risks associated with wandering.
• Learn about the role sensors and smart systems can play to help both the PWD and the Caregiver.

The Neurological Assessment of the Dementia Patient

Sara Mitchell, MD, FRCPC, MPH

Synopsis
This interactive session will focus on increasing the confidence of participants to perform the neurological examination in patients with neurodegenerative diseases with the goal of increasing diagnostic accuracy. The Neurological examination findings in typical and atypical dementias will be reviewed. 

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Increase their confidence to perform a targeted neurological examination in patients with neurodegenerative diseases
• Identify specific neurological signs that can help discriminate between the Parkinson-plus syndromes and other atypical dementias
• Appreciate the utility of the neurological examination in the process of neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and monitoring

The Fountain of Health Initiative: An Unique Canadian Strategy to Promote Brain Health and Resilience

Beverley Cassidy, MD, FRCPC
Linda Gobessi, MD, FRCPC
Kiran Rabheru, MD, CCFP, FRCP, DABPN

Synopsis
Overall Symposium Abstract: Psychiatrists have traditionally been focused on the study and treatment of mental disorders. Positive psychiatry is the science and clinical practice that seeks to understand and promote mental well-being. A growing body of evidence is emerging to support such an approach enhancing positive mental health. The goal of Positive Psychiatry is to use early, proactive, and upstream interventions to reduce risk of mental illness and promote optimism, social engagement, resilience, and positive psychosocial characteristics. Positive Psychiatry also aims to enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes of practitioners in treating people across a full range of mental functioning, from wellness to illness, and ways to optimize clinical outcomes. This symposium presents an approach created by the concept of Fountain of Health (FoH), a Canadian initiative, supporting the integration of positive mental health into routine psychiatric practice, training, and research.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Understand the importance of optimizing brain health and its impact on primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention;
• Articulate the public health and fiscal benefits of such approaches; and
• Understand how to influence key stakeholders to achieve success in implementing these concepts.

A Measure of Success: Approaches to Tracking Behavioural Symptoms in Dementia

Andrea Iaboni, MD DPhil FRCPC
Zahinoor Ismail, MD

Synopsis
Measuring behaviours is important for both research and clinical care in dementia. The measurement of behavioural symptoms is necessary for assessment, communication, selecting interventions, tracking response to interventions, and evaluating changes over time. Some examples of dimensions of behavioural symptoms include their nature, frequency, severity, disruptiveness, context, and associated levels of distress. While many tools exist for measuring behaviours, all have important limitations depending on the setting in which they are used and the skill, knowledge, and workflow of the user. In this workshop, we will review practices in behavioural measurement, discuss ways to improve the reliability and validity of your chosen measures, and present some new ways of measuring behaviours.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• List the most commonly used behavioural tools and their advantages and limitations
• Describe sources of error in measuring behaviours, including those affecting accuracy and those affecting precision
• Discuss strategies to improve the quality of behavioural measurement in their care setting

Sex Myth Busters: Unravelling Trusths for Dementia Care

Mary C. Tierney, PhD, CPsych
Ashley Curtis, PhD

Synopsis
Attendees will participate in an interactive workshop that will present common myths regarding sex and gender in dementia research, clinical care, and therapeutic interventions.  We will present research-based evidence that will either de-bunk or support these statements.  We will also discuss the implications of these hidden sex and gender truths for the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management of various neurodegenerative disorders.  

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• Gain a better understanding of the difference between sex and gender and common “myths” associated with each in relation to neurodegenerative disorders
• Learn about recent evidence refuting or supporting these common sex “myths”
• Learn about how this sex and gender related evidence affect dementia clinical diagnosis, treatment, and disease management.

Driving Assessment in Dementia

Gary Naglie, MD, FRCPC, FGSA

Synopsis
This workshop will discuss factors that affect driving ability, strategies for assessing fitness to drive and issues related to delivering the news and patient reporting. Through a review of case scenarios, participants will have an opportunity to interactively discuss approaches to common challenges that arise when addressing the topic of fitness to drive in persons with dementia.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

• To understand dementia-related driving risks.
• To appreciate limitations of research in this area.
• To develop a practical approach to making decisions about reporting drivers with dementia to transportation authorities and recommending specialized road testing.