Delusions of pregnancy in older women: geriatrician, special interest obstetrics?

Shaun O’Keeffe is a geriatrician in Galway University Hospitals. In this blog, he introduces his recent Age & Ageing paper on delusions of pregnancy in older women.

Back in the ‘what will I do?’ period of my career, I spent six months as an Obstetrics and Gynaecology house officer: and I have the Diploma to prove it!  Although I enjoyed this time enormously, until now it never really seemed to fit with my subsequent career as a geriatrician.  Reports in recent years of IVF pregnancies in women aged 65 or more (which may, incidentally, at least dissuade obstetricians from their previous habit of referring to women who became pregnant after 34 years as ‘elderly’) did lead to the occasional fantasy of being ideally qualified to pioneer the field of obstetric geriatrics. Thankfully, perhaps, this seems unlikely; instead my colleagues and I present my career-to date experience of delusions of pregnancy in older women.

Bladder and Bowel Problems in Older People

Ann Capewell is a Consultant Physician and previously Clinical Director of Care of the Elderly at St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust. She is Chair of the BGS Bladder and Bowel Health Special Interest Group.

Bladder and bowel problems are common but neglected areas of geriatric medicine practice. We are holding a meeting that will focus on providing comprehensive up to date information and practical tips from leading experts in the field.

The BGS Special Interest Group for Bladder and Bowel Health is holding a meeting on the 11th October 2013. This year we are focussing on the links between brain and the bladder and bowel. Topics also include bladder re-training and practical management in frail older people, organising an integrated continence service and with focused sessions on constipation, diarrhoea, bladder cancer.

This is our second meeting but with a completely different programme. The last one was rated highly so the omens are good!

Everyone with an interest in older people or a role in looking after them is welcome to attend. Please click this link for further details and an application form.