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| Email your comments Although Prof Peter Crome is no stranger to the Middle-East Academy of Medicine of Ageing (MEAMA), an invitation to speak at their Congress on Age, Ageing and Alzheimers (MECAAA) was a new experience for me. Having left our British November nights behind, we arrived in the Lebanon to be greeted by Dr Abyad who gave a warm welcome to all the international speakers in English as well as Arabic. As founder of both the Middle-East Journal of Age & Ageing and the Middle-East Network on Ageing research his organisational skills were clearly on display with a breadth of program from the potential of stem cell research to the cost effectiveness of home care provision in the Middle East. Uninterrupted sunshine outside did not distract us from parallel scientific and health care system programs. Day one offered us the “greying Middle East”, its challenges together with governmental and non governmental solutions. This was pitched against a comprehensive analysis of cognitive disturbance from prevention through to end of life care. Prof Baeyens raised the importance of creativity to the older person and the need to select activities which maintain self esteem, though I question his view that ‘we all strive for happiness’. When the health risks of obesity were discussed, the ‘considered’ benefits of fasting appeared to open research possibilities. The focal point that evening was the arrival of the Lebanese Secretary of State for Health. His interest in the care of older people was clear and pressing given the current lack of state Lebanese health care for this cohort. Traditional family loyalties are cherished by many but significant gaps exist for those who are childless, divorced or otherwise neglected. On day two, we heard comparison made between developed and developing countries health care systems and their experiences of long term care beds. This raised the question, at what point is palliative care initiated and continuing restorative treatments abandoned? Prof Giovanni courted controversy by analysing the mortality reduction with antihypertensives including an analysis of the HYVET trial. This was followed by overviews on stroke, heart failure and mood disorders in chronic illness. The mortality risks with antipsychotics were discussed with the equally unacceptable risks associated with physical bed restraints. That evening we were whisked away from worldly matters up over the city of Tripoli to dine on a healthy Mediterranean meal. The lack of alcohol led one of our Italian friends to suggest this was a critical part of the Mediterranean diet. After many courses and sweet fruits to finish, he appeared outwardly satisfied. The final day concentrated on successful ageing, nutrition and the concept of quality of life. Although numbers reduced for Friday afternoon prayers multi disciplinary team work and gender specific medicine were not ignored. Limited sun exposure in some women was part of this discussion and how best to strengthen bone. A break away group then headed for the old souks and a climb to the historic castle sighting snow capped mountains. We could see the city under construction with the re-awakening of its financial services. Our mini-bus even managed a sing-along though the harmonies did not quite make it. On departure, tributes were paid to the many who had given freely of their time and facilities to make the congress a success, especially to Dr Abyad, ‘Shoukran’ (Arabic for thank you). Owen David To find out more: BGS Newsletter, February 2010 |