Monthly Professional Training
2010 Schedule

Dementia, Delirium, and Depression: Defining, Differentiating, and Discussing the Three "Ds" Common in Later Life
Presenter: Erika Falk, PsyD, Director, Geriatric Services, Institute on Aging and Director, San Francisco Elder Abuse Forsenic Center

The three most common mental health syndromes among the older adult population may be chronic or acute. It is important to differentiate among these syndromes because they present in similar ways and thus can be misdiagnosed. If these mental illnesses persist without accurate intervention, they can greatly impact our clients’ quality of life and may even be life threatening. By understanding the similarities and differences among these conditions, we are in a better position to help our clients obtain the necessary treatment.

Participants will:

1. Be able to define these three terms and identify the clinical manifestations of each
2. Differentiate among the three "Ds" and take home a chart to help compare the clinical features of each condition
3. Understand the causes and treatment options for these conditions

The Strange Behavior of the Addicted Person: Why Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling Remain the Most Important Things in Their Life
Presenter: Patrick Arbore, EdD, Director, Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief-Related Services, Institute on Aging

In this session we will discuss addiction as a pattern of compulsive substance use and/or compulsive behavior. According to Leshner (2006) addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease. Whether the older person is addicted to alcohol, which is the most studied and the most common addiction, or gambling, which can devastate an older person's financial resources, both of these addictions can coexist and can lead to depression, anxiety, personality problems and suicidal ideation. A bio-psychosocial-spiritual model will be discussed to help us understand the pain and suffering that accompanies addiction. The spiritual dimension will be highlighted as it offers a crucial framework for recovery as it relates to an older person’s sense of meaning and connectedness.

Participants will:

1. Understand the scope of the problem of addiction and older people
2. Recognize how the aging body affects metabolism
3. Learn how to communicate with older people who may be misusing alcohol and/or are engaged in other forms of addictive behaviors
4. Understand how body, mind and spirit are furiously intertwined in the cycle of addiction

Spirituality and Trauma
Presenter: Elliot Kukla, Rabbi, Bay Area Jewish Healing Center

None of us go through life unscathed and old hurts often resurface as we age. Spiritual traditions look at the ways we are hurt as an integral part of who we are as individuals and as a society. In this session we will explore how all of our care can be informed by trauma and how spiritual tools and resources can promote the healing of old wounds as we age. We will also have an opportunity to share first hand stories and discuss the particular challenges and opportunities of working with individuals and families healing from violence as they age including the challenges facing survivors of domestic violence, veterans and refugees.

Participants will:

1. Learn about the spiritual issues that commonly emerge for survivors of trauma as they age
2. How to begin to tend to those issues and engage the spirituality of our clients as allies in their own healing
3. Reflect upon how our own spirituality as providers is informed by trauma or hurts

Challenging Clients and Motivation: How Continuing to Develop Your Skills Can Lead to Long-Lasting Behavioral Change
Presenter: Karyn Skultety, PhD, Director of Behavioral Health, OnLok Lifeways, Institute on Aging

This session will explore ways to motivate clients to change a behavior. We will cover both the basic rules of motivation that apply to behavior change, as well as consider more advanced techniques. Participants who have attempted to implement a plan with a difficult client to increase motivation will be encouraged to share their plans and ideas to both share what has worked and where they have encountered difficulties. There will be ample opportunity for sharing case examples and problem-solving so that participants leave the session with new ideas to utilize with difficult clients.

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe three basic tenets that apply to motivation
2. Identify one method to improve a current plan/intervention aimed at motivating clients
3. Describe one case example in which motivation has led to significant behavioral change