Aging Challenges for Clinicians is a new 3-hour online continuing education (CE) course that provides a review of the aging process, illustrating potential challenges and effective solutions.
There are proportionately more older adults living now than in previous generations due to the post-World War II baby boom. Americans are also living longer, well into their eighties, nineties, and beyond. In healthcare, the volume of older people may soon outnumber the supply of healthcare professionals trained in geriatrics. Therefore, it is vital that healthcare professionals be familiar with the challenges of aging if they are to effectively treat this population.
In section one, we review the physical changes that occur during the aging process and differentiate between normal changes, and symptoms that may indicate possible health issues. We discuss factors that can positively support a healthy lifestyle and offer a list of recommended health screenings and strategies for supporting patients.
Section two focuses on psychosocial issues faced by older adults and the factors that can affect them, including depression, suicide, sexuality, substance abuse, and physical abuse. The negative effect of stereotyping is also discussed. We consider how spirituality, building resilience, having a healthy social life, and having emotional support play a role in psychosocial health.
The cognitive changes of aging are explored in section three. Normal, age-related cognitive changes are compared to changes that indicate signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. We review physical issues that directly affect an older person’s cognitive state and discuss subjective cognitive decline as one of the earliest warning signs of potential dementia. Strategies for maintaining and improving memory, as well as addressing behavior and cognitive issues, are touched on.
In section four, we look at the importance of communication in the patient/professional relationship and note strategies for supporting positive interactions and dialog. Section five provides an overview of the continuum of care for older adults and the challenges experienced by caregivers. A short list of available resources is provided at the end of the course and case examples are provided throughout. Course #31-51 | 2023 | 55 pages | 20 posttest questions
- CE Credit: 3 Hours
- Target Audience: Psychologists | Counselors | Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) | Social Workers | Occupational Therapists (OTs) | Marriage & Family Therapists (MFTS)
- Learning Level: Introductory
- Course Type: Online
Click here to learn more about Aging Challenges for Clinicians
About the Author
Laura More, MSW, LCSW, has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 40 years and has worked in a variety of practice settings, including: rehabilitation, oncology, trauma, skilled nursing, education, and management. She founded Care2Learn, an online continuing education resource for post-acute healthcare professionals. She has co-authored psychology and nursing books as well as authoring hundreds of online courses. Laura is currently a healthcare author/editor of online continuing education courses, specializing in evidence-based research review. She is the recipient of the 2010 Education Award from the American College of Health Care Administrators.
Course Directions
This online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. The course is text-based (reading) and the CE test is open-book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while reading the course document).
Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation. Click here to learn more.
Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program); the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA Provider #AAUM); the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Provider #3159); the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR Provider #PR001); the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners; the Florida Boards of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology and Office of School Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dietetics and Nutrition, and Occupational Therapy Practice; the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy; the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners – Occupational Therapy; the Mississippi MSDoH Bureau of Professional Licensure – Occupational Therapy; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145), State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135) and marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100), and the State Board for Social Workers an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and MFT Board (#RCST100501) and Speech and Hearing Professionals Board; the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors and Therapists (#193), Examiners in Psychology, Social Worker Examiners, Occupational Therapy, and Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy; the Texas Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114) and State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); the West Virginia Board of Social Work; the Wyoming Board of Psychology; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – all courses are reported within a few days of completion).
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