CADER/NCOA Behavioral Health in Aging – Courses
The following courses are required as part of the Behavioral Health in Aging Certificate Program.
- Mental Health & Aging Issues (4 hours, 4 CEs)
- Identify the mental health conditions that affect older adults.
- Describe the common standardized mental health assessments and diagnostic tools that are appropriate for older adults.
- Identify resources and services available for treating mental health conditions in older adults and their families.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct mental health assessments and interventions with older adults in a culturally competent manner.
- Suicide Prevention among Older Adults (4 hours, 4 CEs)
- Identify key risk factors associated with suicide among older adults.
- Summarize the various assessment tools that can be used to identify suicide risk.
- Explain legal and ethical issues as they relate to older adult suicide.
- Explain current practice and policy issues as they relate to suicide.
- Identify current policy issues regarding suicide.
- Mental Wellness & Resilience among Older Immigrants & Refugees (3 hours, 3 CEs)
- Describe the background of immigration in the U.S. and how it is changing in the 21st century.
- Define resilience.
- Identify the stressors and barriers faced by immigrants and refugees.
- Identify the strengths and resources in immigrants and immigrant communities that build resilience.
- Discuss your own cultural attitudes and beliefs and how they may affect your work with immigrants and refugees.
- Substance Use among Older Adults (4 hours, 4 CEs)
- Discuss the prevalence of substance use among older adults.
- Identify the impact of substance use on health.
- Engage in a collaborative process of addressing substance use with older adults.
- Discuss treatment resources available to older adults.
- Outline the roles that workers can play in promoting recovery.
- Illustrate the impact of culture on substance use among older adults.
- Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias (4 hours, 4 CEs)
- Describe the process by which Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed.
- List the signs and symptoms of the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Describe the best ways of communicating with people who have dementia.
- Describe how the environment can be adapted to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Explain the need for psychosocial interventions and support for caregivers.