Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness E283

Course Summary

Practice Level: Intermediate

In 2020, there were approximately 55.6 million individuals aged 65 or over. This older adult population represents 17% of Americans and is expected to grow another 5% by 2040 (Administration for Community Living, 2022). As the United States’ older population increases, it is important to establish and utilize effective mental and emotional interventions that promote healthy aging. This is especially important for older adults experiencing serious mental illnesses. Mental health can best target this population’s treatment needs by implementing comprehensive psychosocial interventions. This learning material is based on Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness published by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and it presents practices, programs, and policies that best support older adults experiencing serious mental illness (SMI). The purpose of this course is to provide social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists with the information needed to implement client-centered and recovery-oriented services that improve health outcomes for older adults at risk, experiencing, or recovering from SMI.

This learning material discusses current effective interventions as well as the challenges to implementing these approaches. Other topics examined in this learning material include guidance for selecting and implementing evidence-based programs, examples of programs for older adults experiencing SMI, and resources for evaluation and quality improvement. Upon completion of this course, providers will be able to apply evidence-based programs when supporting care coordination and recovery among older adults with SMI.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify approaches and challenges to the delivery of mental health services for older adults with SMI.
2. Differentiate evidence-based practices that are used to provide care coordination and recovery support for older adults experiencing SMI.
3. Describe approaches for selecting, implementing, and evaluating practices that support older adults with SMI.

Course Syllabus

• Chapter 1: Issue Brief
• Chapter 2: What Research Tells Us
• Chapter 3: Guidance for Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Programs
• Chapter 4: Examples of Programs for Older Adults Experiencing SMI
• Chapter 5: Resources for Evaluation and Quality Improvement

Authors

SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA leads public health efforts that advance the behavioral health of the nation. On samhsa.gov SAMHSA states that its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities in America.

William A. Cook, PhD

William A. Cook, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who worked for 15 years in private practice in Montana before leaving his practice to work full time as theDirector of CE4Less. He earned his doctorate degree from Texas A&M University, and focused much of his psychology practice in the area of child and family counseling, as well as psychological testing. Dr. Cook likes new challenges, foreign traveling to Africa and areas of Europe and the near East, scuba diving, running, music, and spending time with his family.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.

This course has been approved by CE4Less.com, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #91345, CE4Less.com is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.