(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) - As the baby boomer generation ages, seniors are quickly becoming the fastest-growing population of new epilepsy (recurring seizures) diagnosis. While the modern medical community has made great strides in properly identifying myriad behaviors in the elder population as epilepsy, many seniors continue to be mislabeled as suffering from dementia and/or other health issues. The diagnosis of a treatable seizure disorder is often overlooked, a mistake that could lead to mortal implications.

On August 2, 2008 the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County will present an educational conference: Seniors & Seizures, for seniors and their caregivers, at the Balboa Park Club from 8:30am - 4:00pm.

Registration opens at 8:30am. This free educational conference will include presentations by San Diego's premier neurologists, covering topics such as: Recognition and Diagnosis of Seizures in Seniors, Cognition and Memory, Driving Issues for Seniors, and Medicare and You. Health care providers will be able to earn 4.5 contact hours by attending the conference.

To register online: www.epilepsysandiego.org  To register by phone: (619) 296-0161.

The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County provides free services and programs to the 30,000 San Diegans living with epilepsy. Seizures begin with a burst of electrical activity in the brain and can range from subtle staring spells to convulsions. Since 1954, the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by seizures. Some of the identifiable causes of epilepsy include head injuries, strokes, tumors, viral infections, and genetics; often, the cause of epilepsy is unknown.

Seniors & Seizures has been developed with grant support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additional sponsorship provided by Abbott Neurologics, Cyberonics, UCB Inc., and Valeant Pharmaceuticals.