Mental Health and Older Adults

Course Code: REL-ACU-0-MHOA

Hours: 1

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2025

Learning Objectives:
Recall at least three psychosocial challenges that are commonly associated with late adulthood.
Identify age-related physical changes related to sleep and cognitive functioning.
Discuss effective strategies that healthcare providers can utilize to support healthy aging.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Challenges Associated with Late Adulthood

Introduction

Mental Health and Older Adults

Chronological Age vs. Biological Age

Why Do Cohort Effects Matter?

Life Experience Stressors

Physical Health Stressors

Sleep Changes

Appetite Changes

Cognitive Health

Sexuality and Sexual Differences in Later Life

Summary

Section 3: Interventions to Support Successful Aging

Healthy Diet and Weight

Maintaining Memory and Cognitive Functioning

Sleep Hygiene in Later Years

Exercise and Diet: Increasing Awareness and Changing Behaviors

Social Supports

Stress Reduction

Additional Considerations When Working with Older Adults

Summary

Section 4: Clinical Vignette

Clinical Vignette

Section 5: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributor

Resources

References

Subject Matter Expert: Jacob Helton, Psy.D.

Jacob Helton, Psy.D., received his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Marywood University in Pennsylvania. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Chehalem Youth and Family Services in Newberg, Oregon, which included extensive training with at-risk youth and their families. He is licensed as a psychologist in Oregon and most recently worked in an integrated family medicine and internal medicine group for a large healthcare organization. Dr. Helton has worked in hospital, school, residential, and community mental health settings. He has provided treatment to clients across the lifespan and diagnostic spectrum, with an emphasis on the treatment of anxiety disorders, co-occurring medical and mental health disorders, ADHD, insomnia, severe and persistent mental illness, and the aging. He has experience as a technical writer and has provided numerous trainings to mental health professionals, physicians, allied professionals, and direct care staff. 

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; Social Workers; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.

All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.