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Palliative Care: Mental Health Issues of Older Adults - Theories of Aging

Discover theories of aging in Module One of our palliative care series.

Theories of Aging: This course provides a bio-psychosocial overview of older adulthood including theories of aging, and the processes of normal aging. 

Developed by: Karen Albig Smith, LMFT, LCAS, MAC, CAP, SAP, SAE
Revised 8/2024

Description:  Healthcare providers working with older populations need to understand the process of aging and its impact on the body's abilities to maintain wellness and manage stress. Aging involves the gradual decline in the physiological capacity of each organ system to sustain homeostasis. This module describes theories of aging, and the challenges and effects experienced in the normal aging process. This module is part of a four-module series on palliative care for mental health professionals. This course can be taken as a stand-alone topic or completed in sequence for a more comprehensive exploration of the challenges and issues faced by older adults.

Description of the whole series:
This module provides a bio-psychosocial overview of older adulthood including theories of aging, and the processes of normal aging.
Module Two: Common mental health problems of the elderly, covers demographics of the elder population and common mental and behavioral health problems encountered in older populations.
Module Three: Caregiving and care delivery. Among the more compelling concerns are end-of-life issues. The offering discusses advance directives and the concept of medical futility and the common problems associated with these decisions.
Module Four: Contextual Issues of Elder Care discusses contextual issues such as diversity concerns; ageism, therapeutic nihilism, and gerophobia are discussed. Training recommendations for providers of care to the elderly are provided.
 
Objectives:
1.  Participants will be able to describe normal aging across eight biological systems
2.  Participants will be able to compare similarities and differences among biological, psychosocial, stochastic and non-stochastic theories on aging.
3. Explain a rationale for using multiple theories to describe the complex phenomenon of aging.

CE Credits: 1 (NBCC Hours - 1)

Agenda:

Hour One: Normal aging, Theories on aging.

CE Broker#:  20-38508

Methods: Pre-test, study guide, posttest and evaluation, internet sources via URLs, Q&A by email.

Content Area:  Special population/problems.

Purpose: Learners will obtain enhanced sensitivity to and awareness of perceptions and expectations of aging and the aged.

Target Audience: Social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, mental health counselors, psychiatric nurses, employee assistance professionals, addiction professionals, behavioral health technicians, and other allied professionals.

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Online Course

CE Broker#:
20-38508
CE Credits:
1 (NBCC Hours - 1)
Price:
$15.00

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