Providing Integrated Care for Older Americans

Course overview

Course Description: This course opens by describing the unique characteristics of older Americans and reviewing caregiver concerns. The relationship between behavioral health and physical health is explored, and ideas are presented for integrating behavioral health and primary care. The role of the community in caring for older adults in also covered. The course closes with a comprehensive list of resources available to those who care for the burgeoning population of older adults in America today. This course is based upon material published in a publication from jointly published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and is available as an open access article. This course on integrated care for older Americans is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of care integration for older Americans. The course material includes a review of characteristics of older Americans, caregiver concerns, and resources available to help integrate behavioral and primary care for the elderly. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Authors: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the integration of care for older Americans as their population increases exponentially. Specifically, a professional will: •Describe the relationship between behavioral health and physical health in older Americans •Identify caregiver concerns related to older Americans •Recognize strategies for integrating behavioral health care and primary care for older Americans Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Health Resources and Services Administration, Growing Older: Providing Integrated Care for an Aging Population. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 16-4982. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2016. Visit us online for a full year of unlimited online CEUs.