We are living in a time when people are living longer, but they are also living longer with complex health issues, care needs, and greater dependence on the health care system and families.  While the increase in longevity is something that allows for elders to be a part of the lives of several generations that follow them, there are also unique losses and stressors that accompany this demographic change.  Family members are often exhausted from the increased demands of caring for their elderly loved ones.  Many elders experience a loss of their cognitive abilities, leading those who love them feeling bereft while they are still living.  All of these issues exist within contextual frameworks that value individuals for their independence, productivity, and efficiency, leading elders to often feel that they are devalued and disenfranchised socially.  This module will explore the current demographic trends associated with aging, identifying unique loss and grief experiences for elders and their families, and clinical implications for the professionals who journey alongside these individuals.​

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Note:  This 3-hour CE module focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the unique experiences of grief and loss of elders and the implications for clinicians, health care systems, and families;

• Describe current demographic trends related to aging and their implications; and 

• Discuss how social attitudes about aging affect care delivery and supports.

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Note:  Attendance of this Live Online Training session confers credit of 1 Case Study Module required for Certification in Grief Therapy Non-Death Losses or Certification in Family-Focused Grief Therapy.

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COURSE PACK PROVIDES

• A PDF copy of the presentation slides; 

• A series of reflective writing exercises; and

• A list of resources for further study and references.

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TARGET AUDIENCE

• Psychologists, social workers, counselors, art / music / expressive arts therapists, pastoral care personnel, healthcare professionals, bereavement volunteers

• To qualify for the 3 CE Credits, please kindly note that:

  • Full attendance of the entire session is required to receive CE credits.  No partial credit is awarded.

  • You are required to complete a CE quiz after the session.  An overall score of 75% or higher within three attempts is required to obtain CE credits.

  • The certificate of CE credits will be issued to you upon your submission of a participant evaluation form.

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INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL

• Intermediate

 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

This program contains the following segments:

• An Overview of Aging:  A Demographic Shift (15 min.)

• Grief and Ageism in Older Populations:  Unique Challenges (30 min.)

• Making It Real:  A Case Study Review (15 min.) ​

• Loss in Later Life:  The Social Context (30 min.)

• Cultivating Compassion:  A Reflective Writing Exercise (15 min.)

• Sharpening Our Skills:  Professional Training for Working with Older Adults (15 min.)

• Addressing Ageism:  Countering the Myths (30 min.)

• Identifying Losses in Elders:  A Case Study Analysis (20 min.)

• Closing:  Conclusion and Q&A (10 min.)

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WEBINAR TIMING

• 9am-12pm, PST, Portland, OR, that corresponds to 12-3pm in Eastern Time, 5-8pm in Greenwich Mean Time and 6-9pm in Central European Time.

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Note:  The Zoom link and learning materials will be emailed to the registrants in due course.

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Disclosure Statement

This recorded module is not supported financially by a manufacturer of any commercial product and there is no sale of any product or publication during the live training session.  There is no known conflict of interest for this CE module or the presenting faculty.