On March 7, Alzheimer’s Association Long Island hosted 50 physicians at its first-ever Physician’s Outreach Dinner at the Melville Marriott. Guest speakers included Dr. Peter Davies, Ronda Wexler-Kahn and Mindy Wexler-Rosenfeld, Dr. Norman Pflaster and Ronald Fatoullah.

Dr. Davies, Scientific Director, Litwin-Zucker Center for the Research of Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and North Shore LIJ Health Care System, covered treatments and diagnostic testing for the disease. In their presentation, Ms. Wexler-Kahn, RPh, and Ms. Wexler-Rosenfeld, RPh — two New York State-licensed pharmacists specializing in geriatric pharmacy services, drug utilization evaluation and psychiatric medication — showed those in attendance how to describe the Black Box warnings and the quality-of-life issues to their patients and their families and discuss the medication spectrum as it relates to Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Pflaster, Assistant Attending Neurologist, Southside Hospital and Attending Neurologist, Brookhaven, Central Suffolk and Southampton Hospitals, described in his presentation the common causes of dementia, the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, how Alzheimer’s can be managed and how to approach delirium in patients with dementia.

Ms. Malack-Ragona, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer’s Association Long Island, discussed the community resources provided by the chapter and how physicians can make this information available to their patients and their families. Mr. Fatoullah, Esq., CELA, Member, AALI’s Legal Advisory Board, gave an overview of Medicaid and Veterans Administration benefits and long-term care insurance and how physicians should be able to provide current referrals for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

An estimated 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Of that number, 5.2 million are 65 years of age and older. That means one in eight people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s. On Long Island, 55,000 people have Alzheimer’s. With the growing number of “baby boomers,” Ms. Malack-Ragona says the number of those with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase.

For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, please contact Ms. Malack-Ragona at (631) 820-8068 or visit us at www.alz.org/longisland.

* Photo is available upon request.

About Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

Hank Russell, Public Relations Director
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This release was published on openPR.