Special Populations: Elderly
- Objectives
- Describe the prevalence of substance abuse in older American adults.
- Describe the need for treatment of substance abuse disorders in older adults.
- Identify how the physical effects of normal aging can affect the way an older person responds to alcohol or other drugs.
- Identify older adult screening criteria for substance use disorders.
- Identify risk factors in older adults for substance abuse.
- List physical symptoms that can potentially signal the development of addiction.
- Describe delirium and dementia.
- List indications for inpatient substance detoxification.
- Describe brief interventions for substance abuse.
- Describe the FRAMES Approach.
- Explain the different types of treatment settings and their individual characteristics.
- Explain the different treatment approaches and their individual characteristics.
- Describe age specific staffing needs.
- Identify resources for older adults and treating substance abuse in older adults.
$18.00 for 90 days - Objectives
- Identify differences between the dementias
- Accurately diagnose dementias based upon symptomatology and onset
- Identify effective medications
- Identify common problems of persons with dementia
- Identify pharmacological interventions to deal with associated problems
- Describe considerations when making patient placement/treatment decisions
- Differentiate between effective and ineffective interventions for persons with dementia
- List the symptoms common to the dementias
- Discuss the types of information and education the patient and family require
Based in part on Counselor Toolbox Episode 222 Alzheimer's and Dementias For mental health and addiction counselors (LPC, LMHC, LPCC, LADC, CADC, and counselors in training), social workers (LCSW, LMSW, LSW, RSW), pastoral staff, case managers (CCM) and marriage and family therapists (LMFT)$24.00 for 90 days Objectives:
- Explore what caregivers really are
- Identify some of the things caregivers do
- Identify the consequences of adopting a caregiver role
- Review cognitive behavioral strategies to help caregivers prevent physical, emotional and interpersonal problems
$6.00 for 90 daysObjectives
- Define cognitive impairment
- Explore symptoms of cognitive impairment in
- Alzheimer’s
- Dementias
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- Review APA Treatment Guidelines for counselors working with persons with Alzheimer’s
- Identify methods for effective communication
- Learn how to handle difficult behaviors
- Identify specific issues and interventions for a person with a FASD
Based on Counselor Toolbox Episode 190 Communicating with the Cognitively Impaired
$6.00 for 90 days- Define cognitive impairment
Objectives:
The student will learn about:
- Attachment
- The relationship between disrupted attachment and trauma
- The similarities between complicated grief and trauma
- The goals of treatment for someone with traumatic stress as a result of disrupted attachment.
$6.00 for 90 daysObjectives
- Define the different types of abuse
- Review important things to be aware of prior to interviewing the victim and the perpetrator
- Define the concerns that are relevant when completing an assessment of imminent danger
- Review the 8 spokes of influence on the power and control wheel
- Contrast the power and control wheel with the equality wheel dimensions
$9.00 for 30 days- Objectives
- Cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease
- Strategies for aging well into the 21st century
$9.00 for 90 days - Objectives
- Recognize how their attitudes and beliefs about aging and about older individuals may be relevant to their assessment and treatment of older adults
- Develop knowledge about adult development and aging
- Understand diversity in the aging process
- Understand cognitive changes in older adults., problems in daily living among older adults.
- Review theory, research, and practice of various methods of assessment and intervention with older adults, and knowledgeable of assessment instruments that are psychometrically suitable for use with them.
- Develop awareness of issues related to the provision of prevention and health promotion services with older adults.
$9.00 for 90 days Objectives
Circadian Rhythms and Sleep (90 minutes)- Identify the effects of poor sleep on older adults’ physical and cognitive health, including increased inflammation, pain, and dysregulated blood sugar.
- Explain the relationship between sleep disruption and emotional/behavioral changes such as irritability, reduced energy, and cognitive fog.
- Analyze common causes of circadian rhythm disruption in older adults (e.g., nocturia, reflux, medication schedules, poor lighting).
- Apply evidence-based strategies to improve sleep hygiene and circadian rhythm regulation in older adults.
Nutrition for the Older Adult (90 minutes)
- Describe how changes in nutrient absorption and utilization in older adults affect stress, cognition, and chronic illness progression.
- Identify specific nutrient deficiencies (Vitamin D, B12, iron, calcium, fiber) and their role in worsening cognitive and emotional wellbeing.
- Explain the connection between dehydration, constipation, and symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, and brain fog in older adults.
- Implement strategies to improve hydration and bowel function that support resident behavior, cognition, and mood stability.
- Recognize sensory changes (taste, smell, swallowing difficulties) that contribute to reduced food intake in older adults.
- Develop individualized strategies to enhance nutrition and increase healthy food intake in collaboration with occupational therapy.
Oral Health and Cognition (30 minutes)
- Describe how oral health problems (tooth loss, gum disease, dry mouth) contribute to inflammation, pain, and cognitive decline.
- Identify practical interventions to address oral health challenges and support older adult wellbeing.
Hearing Loss and Resident Wellbeing (30 minutes)
- Explain how hearing loss impacts cognition, balance, mood, energy levels, and blood sugar regulation.
- Evaluate interventions (environmental modifications, hearing aids, apps) to improve communication and reduce isolation in older adults with hearing loss.
Creating Safe and Empowering Environments (30 minutes)
- Identify the impact of sensory changes, trauma history, and perceived lack of safety on resident stress and behavior.
- Apply trauma-informed approaches to reduce triggers and promote empowerment for older adults.
- Develop environmental strategies to address sensory sensitivities related to noise, lighting, movement, and smells.
Addressing Nervous System Dysregulation (60 minutes)
- Recognize signs of sympathetic nervous system dominance in older adults (e.g., irritability, agitation, restlessness).
- Apply strategies such as redirection, restructuring, and distress tolerance techniques to reduce agitation and improve resident regulation.
Putting It Together: Behaviors as Communication (30 minutes)
- Interpret challenging resident behaviors through a lens of physical, emotional, or environmental unmet needs.
- Use backward chaining to identify triggers contributing to stress responses and difficult behaviors.
- Apply effective communication strategies to explore physical issues (pain, illness), emotional concerns, and environmental stressors.
- Demonstrate skills in case-based application by analyzing a resident scenario and identifying the underlying needs behind the behavior.
- Integrate strategies across sleep, nutrition, oral health, sensory adjustments, and trauma-informed care to create holistic care plans that enhance resident wellbeing.
Note: This course is presented via live webinar. You must actively participate during the course in addition to passing an end of course quiz.
Additional Note: In Tennessee, online, interactive training courses are acceptable as continuing education for Assisted Care Living Facility Administratorshttps://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/hfc/documents/HFC-BLHCF_Interpretive_Guidelines.pdf (Page 14)$30.00 for 90 days- Objectives
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Define Trauma
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Explore strategies to cope with existential anxiety, regret, resentment
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Discuss how this impacts people in each PIECE of life
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Identify losses in each PIECE of life
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Explore how loss is traumatic
$20.00 for 14 days -