The explosion of information about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has demanded the attention of health professionals and responsible consumers, in cluding the elderly. Increasingly, medical schools are providing education about CAM. This book brings together for academicians and interested mainstream practitio ners much of the current information on CAM and its role in the health of the elderly. The individual chapters are thoroughly researched and quite readable, even for patients and the lay public concerned with the state of the evidence and art supporting CAM's role in prevention and management of illness and well-being. This book provides edu cators with much necessary information needed to prepare coursework and learning activities. Although definitive data are lacking regarding efficacy and even safety of CAM methodologies, many chapters in this book summarize the existing evidence in a us able way. The topics analyzed range from well-accepted therapies, such as vitamin E for dementia and zinc tablets for the common cold, to far less conventional therapies such as transcendental meditation. The conclusions are often surprising, but well-presented and defended. Even the most highly controversial areas, such as the use of acupuncture to treat low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee, are thoroughly and fairly re viewed. Finally, the chapters address some of the political issues that challenge CAM. These issues include who should be allowed to practice a CAM discipline whose efficacy is not based on the scientific method, and some of the state-to-state variations in prac tice standards and licensure.

Use these techniques to promote the wellness of your elderly clients! This book explores current trends in alternative therapy and geriatric rehabilitation and the use of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) techniques in physical and occupational treatment sessions with older adults. According to editor Ann Burkhardt, ”Rehabilitation and the complementary medicine movement are intrinsically compatible since they both tend to view people holistically-as more than the sum of their component parts. Each philosophy emphasizes quality of life and empowers people to participate in life change and health enhancement.” In addition to describing the science behind alternative and complementary therapies and discussing indications and contraindications, Complementary Therapies in Geriatric Practice presents a number of different therapeutic approaches, including: energy therapies Tai Chi mental rehearsal incorporating spirituality into occupational therapy practice occupational therapy as a means to wellness for the elderly By providing information about these topics and more, Complementary Therapies in Geriatric Practice will help you expand the possibilities of your geriatric rehabilitation practice and bring about more positive outcomes for your patients!

The field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is expected to grow tremendously in the next few years. In addition to an increase in the general population, the baby-boomer generation is quickly entering retirement and will likely take advantage of CAM increasingly as it ages. Although CAM research as applied to aging is just beginning and health professionals receive no special training in CAM and aging, the United States population still continues to employ it. For diagnoses that accompany aging such as cancer, neurological diseases, psychiatric disorders, and physical disabilities, CAM has often been used in addition to or in place of unsuccessful conventional methods of treatment. This new and up-to-the-minute compendium of reliable and authoritative information on complementary and alternative therapies seeks to provide information that older adults may use as they seek to improve their health and quality of life. Covering dietary means; physical, mental, and spiritual methods of treatment; and various types of therapies, this handbook is the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource on complementary and alternative medicine available today. Each chapter or article includes: Brief definition of modality Anecdotal reports of usefulness Discussion of scientific evidence for and against modality List of resources that reader can use to find further information Examples of therapies covered include: Art & Music Massage Acupuncture Meditation Homeopathy Ayurveda Aromatherapy

Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Mental Health and Aging provides an up-to-date overview of integrative medicine that clinicians, researchers, and caregivers will require in order to address the major mental and physical disorders of aging. The chapters herein will increase clinicians' familiarity with the most recent research findings, and broaden their understanding of the use of these interventions in clinical practice. The discussion of the data is provided in easy-to-use format covering different fields of integrative medicine, and is written by an international group of leaders and researchers in their respective areas of expertise. This volume can be used for training by students of integrative medicine and gerontology, and individual chapters can be used as on-the-go references on a particular topic. Putting this work into a wider context, volume editors Helen Lavretsky, Martha Sajatovic, and Charles Reynolds III also provide a necessary framework for clinicians and public policy makers to understand the necessity of pursuing complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine for aging adults.

The major objective of this book is to review in detail health problems occurring with significant frequency in aging adults which are proposed to be treated or ameliorated using nutriceuticals as foods and dietary supplements as well as other complementary and alternative therapies. Chapters primarily focusing on nutrients have been excluded to maintain a focus on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The book is divided into three general sections: 1. Nutriceuticals and Botanicals in Health Promotion - including Specific Nutriceuticals Used in Treating Aged; and General Nutraceutical Approaches to Therapy with emphasis on cancer. 2. Non-nutritional CAM Therapies – including Mind-mediated Therapies; and Physically Applied CAM Therapies3. Non-dietary Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use and Benefits to the Elderly in Health Identifies the important nutritional requirements of the aging population, and how nutraceuticals and other CAM options affect those Addresses the many disease entities and cancers are found with higher frequency in the aged, including cancer, trauma, or infectious disease that can alter intakes of nutraceutical containing foods and/or requirements for various nutrients. Explores the nutritional materials botanical extracts and components that can have important health promotion benefits and risks, to ensure safe consumption Reviews the frequently used non-traditional and often unproven CAM therapies, beyond nutritional and nutraceutical supplements, including a variety of physical and psychosocial treatments.