Nonpharmaceutical Management of Behavioral Issues in Older Adults

With the aging of the U.S. population, there is a need for increased behavioral health services. Dementia is the leading cause of dependence and disability in the elderly population worldwide, and, as the average life expectancy increases, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase exponentially.

Older adults with dementia often have behavioral symptoms that can be very upsetting for both the individual and the caregiver and are often more difficult and disruptive than other symptoms of dementia. Aging is also associated with mental health issues such as depression that may result in behavioral issues. Other causes for changes in behavior may be related to factors such as pain, fatigue, sensory loss or lack of activity.

Studies suggest that a nonpharmaceutical, multistep approach to managing behavioral symptoms can be more effective than medication without causing side effects and should be the first approach. This webcast will discuss how to develop strategies to integrate nonpharmaceutical treatment options for older adults with behavioral issues. Interventions and available resources to optimize care for this population will be discussed.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Identify common adjustments associated with life transitions and aging that may result in behavioral issues;
  • Describe behavioral symptoms associated with dementia and depression;
  • State the steps involved in integrating nonpharmaceutical approaches to treat dementia-related and other behavioral issues in older adults;
  • List the available resources to optimize care for this population; and,
  • Recognize the importance of incorporating active collaboration with an interprofessional team in the management of these individuals.

Presenter
Helen C. Kales, MDHelen C. Kales, MD
Professor of Psychiatry
Director of the Program for Positive Aging
University of Michigan
Research Investigator
VA Central for Clinical Management Research
Ann Arbor, MI

About the Presenter
Dr. Kales is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan (UM) and a Research Investigator in the Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR) in the VA Ann Arbor Health System. She is also the founding Director of the UM Program for Positive Aging (PPA), a multifaceted UM program that promotes team science via national and international collaborations to improve outcomes for older patients with dementia or mental health issues and their families. As a fellowship-trained, board-certified geriatric psychiatrist, her research program is directly informed by her clinical work and experiences with patients, families, providers and systems to diminish the barriers to effective and high-quality care for older patients with dementia or mental health issues. Dr. Kales was named to the Lancet Global Commission on Dementia Care in 2015. She is recognized as an international expert in the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, depression in later life and in pharmacoepidemiologic research related to the prevalence and risks of use of antipsychotic and other psychotropic medications in patients with dementia.

Activity Planners
Sarah Chart, RN
Senior Director
OptumHealth Education
Eden Prairie, MN

Rebecca Gleason, RN, CCM
Activity Manager
OptumHealth Education
Eden Prairie, MN

Tina Rydland, PharmD
Crystal Clear Rx
Denver, CO

Disclosures of Relevant Financial Relationships
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial SupportSM, OptumHealth Education requires all those in the control of activity content to disclose their relevant financial relationships. An individual has a relevant financial relationship if such person (or his/her spouse/partner) has a financial relationship in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services relate to the activity content.

OptumHealth Education ensures that the content is independent of commercial bias.

Ms. Chart and Ms. Gleason have indicated that they are employees of and own stock in UnitedHealth Group.
Dr. Rydland has indicated that she is a consultant for HAP Innovation.
The remaining activity faculty or planners have no financial relationships to disclose.

Method of Participation
There are no fees for participating in or receiving credit for this activity.
For information on applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the activity, which includes the following:

  • Completing the entire activity
  • Completing the Pre- and Post-Activity Assessments, Activity Evaluation, and Application for Certificate of Credit forms

You must be logged into your account to participate in this activity. Get started by clicking “Begin” and viewing the “CE Info”; then follow the prompts at the bottom of the screen. At the end of the activity, you will be able to view, save or print your certificate of participation. The Area of Practice you indicated in your profile corresponds with your certificate type. A complete listing of all of your activities can be found under “My Account”, “My Activities.”

Method for Calculating CE Credit
CE credit was calculated by the complexity of content.

Accreditation Statement
Joint Accreditation LogoIn support of improving patient care, OptumHealth Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the health care team.

Credit Designation Statements
IPCE Credit LogoThis activity was planned by and for the health care team, and learners will receive 1.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Nurses
The participant will be awarded up to 1.00 contact hour(s) of credit for attendance and completion of supplemental materials.

Nurse Practitioners
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.

Nursing Home Administrators
This program has been approved for Continuing Education for 1.00 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS—approval 20181120-1-A37625-DL.

Pharmacists
This activity is approved for 1.00 contact hour(s) ([0.10] CEU) in states that recognize ACPE.
Attending the full program will earn 1.00 contact hour(s).
Unique Activity Number(s): JA0007123-0000-18-060-H04-P

Pharmacy Technicians
This activity is approved for 1.00 contact hour(s) ([0.10] CEU) in states that recognize ACPE.
Attending the full program will earn 1.00 contact hour(s).
Unique Activity Number(s): JA0007123-0000-18-060-H04-T

Physicians
OptumHealth Education designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

PAs
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Case Managers
The Commission for Case Manager Certification has approved this program for a maximum of 1.00 clock hour(s) for Certified Case Managers (CCM).

Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be provided to learners upon completion of activity requirements, enabling participants to register with licensing boards or associations that have not been pre-approved for credits. To apply for credit types not listed above, participants should use the procedure established by the specific organization with which they wish to obtain credit.

Provided By
This activity is provided by OptumHealth Education.

Commercial Support
This activity is supported by Optum CarePlus.

Hardware/Software Requirements
To view this activity you will need Internet Explorer 7.0+ or Firefox 3.0+ with Windows Media Player 9+, RealPlayer 12+ or Adobe Flash Player 9+. Be sure to disable any pop-up blocking software prior to beginning this activity.

Target Audience

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of case managers, nurses, nursing home administrators, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physicians and other health care professionals (HCPs) who have an interest in the care of older adults.

Activity summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ACPE - Pharmacists
  • 1.00 ACPE - Pharmacy Technicians
  • 1.00 AMA - Physicians
  • 1.00 ANCC - Nurses
  • 1.00 Attendance - General Attendance
  • 1.00 CCMC - General - Case Managers
  • 1.00 NAB - Nursing Home Administers
Activity opens: 
11/21/2017
Activity expires: 
11/21/2019
Rating: 
0

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ACPE - Pharmacists
  • 1.00 ACPE - Pharmacy Technicians
  • 1.00 AMA - Physicians
  • 1.00 ANCC - Nurses
  • 1.00 Attendance - General Attendance
  • 1.00 CCMC - General - Case Managers
  • 1.00 NAB - Nursing Home Administers
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