Outline

Working with older adults is different from other clients.

• Psychopharmacological treatments and the senior metabolism
• Social systems, family and life role transitions
• Generational stigma, therapy and communication
• Elder abuse/neglect
• Finding the strengths of older clients

The aging brain. There are things you need to know about aging, forgetting and dementia.

• Forgetfulness vs. pathology
• Cognitive assessment tools
• Clinical differences among common dementia syndromes

Treat late-life anxiety disorders.

• Recognize late-life anxiety – assessment considerations
• Somatic overlap with medical disorders
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) vs. specific phobias
• Psychotherapeutic treatments
  • CBT techniques and older adults
  • Relaxation techniques

Depression over 65. There are assessment and treatment approaches.

• Assessment strategies for late-life depression
• Social support in late life depression
• Working with grief and loss – unique characteristics of older clients
• Apply evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatments
  • Focus on today’s problems with CBT
  • Mindfulness as an adjunctive
  • Behavioral Activation with the elderly
  • Adaptive exercise for the physically challenged

The treatment of older adults is trauma-informing.

• Special considerations when assessing seniors for trauma
• Trauma and somatic complaints
• Overcoming shame and stigma
• Identifying co-morbid psychiatric conditions
• Psychotherapeutic treatments

There is crisis management. Substance Abuse Disorders in Seniors.

• Drug Abuse Disorders in older adults
  • Unique vulnerabilities and diagnostic difficulties
  • Assessment instruments
  • Motivational Interviewing and relapse prevention
• Suicide in older adults
  • The complexity of suicidal behavior in older adults
  • Assessment and screening tools
  • Treatment approaches and crisis guidance