Loneliness: The Hidden Risk

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Mental Health in Older Adults

This was a day-long conference that addressed loneliness as a key factor affecting the health and well-being of older adults. Cultural competency is essential in effectively reaching individuals of diverse backgrounds.

When:

Friday, May 30, 2014

Continuing Education:

6.5 CE credits were offered RCFE, BRN, BBS, APA

American Psychological Association (APA): Institute on Aging is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Institute on Aging maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS): Course met the qualifications for 6.5 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Provider #: PCE 2079)

California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN): Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 13610 for 6.5 contact hours.

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE): This course was pending approval by CDSS for 6.5 hours of continuing education.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants learned basic demographics, definitions, reasons and the overall effect of loneliness and social isolation for seniors.

2. Participants became familiar with research and clinical experience with socially isolated seniors and the impact isolation has on mental health of older adults and seniors.

3. Participants gained an understanding of the diverse experiences of seniors from varying cultural communities and the different ways of addressing isolation for those groups.

4. Participants gained an improved clinical perspective on mental health and medical diagnosis, assessment and treatment given the presence of loneliness and social isolation.

5. Participants learned about the various community resources available to provide support and services to older adults and seniors who may experience isolation and loneliness.

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Patrick Arbore

Dr. Patrick Arbore is a national figure and recipient of the 2013 Mental Health and Aging Award presented by the American Society on Aging for outstanding contributions to the field of aging. He is the Founder and Director of the Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief Related Services at Institute on Aging.

Dr. Arbore conducts workshops and presents lectures locally and nationally on aging related subjects including elderly suicide prevention, hoarding, substance abuse, compassion fatigue, communication, depression, traumatic loss, and many others. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters on a variety of topics, including a chapter he co-authored entitled “Suffering and the Caring Professional” in When Professionals Weep: Emotional and Countertransference Responses in End-of-Life Care (2006). He is also a Senior Lecturer in the Human Services Division at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA as well as a part-time Lecturer in the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley.