Generic versions of Aricept (donepezil) approved by FDA

The FDA has announced that generic versions of Aricept (donepezil) have now been approved for patients who have Alzheimer's disease. Aricept was one of the first FDA-approved "acetylcholinesterase inhibitor" for patients who have Alzheimer's disease. Since then, we've seen quite a few other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors enter the market. Four cholinesterase inhibitors: tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are currently approved by the FDA but tacrine is rarely used due to toxicities.

Now that we have an option to use a generic drug for patients with Alzheimer's disease, I wonder if we will see more patients receiving treatment for their dementia. Drug cost has always been a barrier for older adults (even if they have Medicare), but generics are often a fraction of the cost compared to branded drugs, so this should be interesting as we move forward.

AMDA 2009 Annual Symposium

AMDA is having its annual symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina this year. Today was the first day of the meeting and the theme this year is, "Partnering for Success: The Sky's the Limit." Major national meetings are still very popular ways for doctors to get their continuing medical education (CME).

Collaboration and partnering are such important principles within the long-term care (LTC) setting. The medical director needs to know how to guide an interdisciplinary team in the management of challenging issues in nursing homes and other LTC facilities. As the population ages and more older adults are requiring some type of LTC.

Speaking of robots... how about a medical robot for your grandma?

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are developing robots to help elderly individuals living alone. These robots can check certain vital signs (using a stethoscope), call 9-1-1, and provide video conferencing services. Want to learn more?

Take a look at the uBOT-5

This is a great example of technology improving home health care. Elderly individuals need an easy way to contact emergency services. Of course, if they're unconscious, making that 9-1-1 becomes impossible. That's why they need to have a robot in the house.

I can't wait to see where this technology goes. I bet the next robot version will look more like R2-D2. Then all the Baby Boomers who grew up on Star Wars will need to have one!