Being Mortal: Medicine, Mortality and Caring for Older Adults

Catalog description

Over the past century, we've witnessed a significant leap in life expectancy, from an average of 55 years to 80 years. The fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population is the "oldest old" and the prevalence of people reaching 100 years has nearly doubled. The shift prompts questions about what matters most in the context of aging, illness, culture, and the end of life. This weekly seminar features a diverse lineup of speakers including physicians, scientists, patients and their caregivers, and experts in aging. Upon completion of the course, students will have enhanced their knowledge in geriatrics, palliative medicine, and communication to better care for aging or seriously ill patients and their families. The Autumn and Spring courses vary in speakers and topics. Course schedule, speakers, and topics can be viewed in the syllabus here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HUfIjTHzva0bkpsHWgWFQZbbFuCbu4umO_y-EHb2Sn8/edit?tab=t.0