Articles
Mental Health First Aid for Older Adults
This 8-hour public education program introduced participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adults over the age of 65, buildings understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teachings individuals to help in times of crisis.
Growing Older: Providing Integrated Care for an Aging Population. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Health Resources and Services Administration.
Talking with Your Older Patient: Understanding Older Patients. National Institute on Aging.
Blueprint for Change: Achieving Integrated Health Care for an Aging Population. Report of the APA Presidential Task Force on Integrated Health Care.
Integrated Health Care for an Aging Population: A Face Sheet for Policymakers. American Psychological Association.
Primary Care Provider Modules Institute of Aging at Portland State University.
Online learning modules, assessment tools. And other materials developed specifically for primary care providers.
Gagliardi, J.P. (2008). Differentiating among depression, delirium, and dementia in elderly patients. AMA Journal of Ethics
Dementia Resources for Health Professionals: Assessing Cognitive Impairment in Older Patients. National Institute on Aging.
The PEARLS Program
The Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) is a national evidence-based program for late-life depression. PEARLS brings high quality mental health care into community-based settings that reach vulnerable older adults.
The WISE Program
The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) Program is a wellness and prevention program targeting older adults, which is designed to help them celebrate healthy aging, make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid substance abuse. It provides valuable educational services to older adults on topics including medication misuse and management, stress management, depression, and substance abuse.
Rybarczyk, B., Garroway, A.M., Auerbach, S.M., Rodriguez, V.M., Lord, B., & Sadock, E. (2013). Primary care psychology: An opportunity for closing the gap in mental health services for older adults. Clinical Gerontologist, 36(3), 195-215.
Book Chapters
Chew-Graham, C. & Baldwin, R. (2009). Mental health problems in older people. In: L. Gask, H. Lester, T. Kendrick, & R. Peveler (Eds.), Primary Care Mental Health (pp. 174-197). London: Royal College of Psychiatrists Publications.
deMendonca Lima, C.A., de Almeida, J.M.C., Iliffe, S., & Rasmussen, J. (2012). Dementia in primary care mental health. In G. Ivbijaro (Ed.), Companion to Primary Care Mental Health (pp. 571-607). New York: Wonka and Radcliffe Publishing.
Haley, W. E. (2004). Serving older adults: Clinical geropsychology in primary care. In R.G. Frank, S.H. McDaniel, J.H. Bray, & M. Heldring, M. (Eds.), Primary Care Psychology (pp.227-242). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Hunter, C.L., Goodie, J.L., Oordt, M.S., & Dobmeyer, A.C. (2009). Special considerations for older adults. In: Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care: Step-by-Step Guidance for Assessment and Intervention (pp. 213-224). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Robinson, P.J. & Reiter, J.T. (2007). Examples of consultations with older adults. In: Behavioral Consultation and Primary Care: A Guide to Integrating Services (pp. 289-318). New York, NY: Springer.
Webinars
Psychologists in Integrated Health Care: Geriatrics
Series of video testimonials from both patients and providers to describe the many ways physical and mental health of older adults are intertwined.
Supporting Older Adults with Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders (SUD) are a significant public health concern for the growing population of older adults.
Suicide Prevention Among Older Adults
Webinar discussing the prevalence of and risk factors for suicide among older adults. Discusses how suicide is being addressed at the federal level, and shared behavioral health resources.
Promising Practices For Meeting The Behavioral Health Needs Of Dually Eligible Older Adults
Twenty-five percent of adults in the United States who are 65 or older experience a behavioral health issue, yet only 3% of these individuals report seeking treatment from a behavioral health professional.
Interdisciplinary Care Teams For Older Adults
By working in a team of skilled professionals, interdisciplinary care teams (ICT) provide comprehensive assessment and management of care for older adults. Effective ICTs use a person-centered approach that prioritizes the individual’s needs. This webinar explains key members within ICTs and identify common challenges and best practices for ICTs working with older adults. Presenters also address the importance of clinical, psychosocial, long-term care, behavioral and community-based support for older adults, particularly Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries.
Presentation And Diagnosis Of Alzheimer's Disease
This webinar presents core competencies needed for the assessment and diagnosis of cognitive impairment in older adults. Common clinical case presentations of memory problems are subtle in onset, often with a lack of patient awareness, which can result in under-diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and a delay in care management. In addition, normal age-related changes in memory may be misdiagnosed as dementia. The prevalence of dementia in late life is age-related, increasing particularly after age 85.
Geriatric-Competent Care: Introduction To Geriatric-Competent Care (Part I)
This first webinar presents universal competencies that are fundamental to quality geriatrics care, across disciplines and care settings.
Geriatric-Competent Care: Geriatric Assessment (Part II)
This second webinar presents an interdisciplinary geriatric assessment which can promote older adults’ wellness and independence and maintain or improve their functional status and quality of life by considering physical, cognitive, psychological, and social domains. This webinar focuses on a rapid geriatrics screen that can be accomplished in a busy clinical setting to identify target areas where a more in-depth assessment is needed to develop a comprehensive, coordinated care plan.
The work upon which this web site is based was funded through a grant awarded by the Montana Healthcare Foundation.
Disclaimer: The statements and conclusions on this site are those of the Grantee and not necessarily those of the Montana Healthcare Foundation. The Montana Healthcare Foundation makes no warranties, express or implied, and assumes no liability for the information contained on this site.