Massachusetts Training Portal

CADER/EOEA 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.