Geriatric Depression: Know the signs and risks unique to this special population

Course Description

Depression is a clinical term used to describe an emotion, a symptom, and an episode, as well as a diagnosis. In this webinar we will explore the unique presentation of depression as experienced by the aging population via lecture and discussion, in addition to learner handouts. This topic is especially relevant because symptoms of depression in the geriatric population usually present as complaints of “malaise”, making it particularly difficult to detect, much less diagnosis.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Explain the unique differences between normal signs of aging and symptoms of geriatric depression
• Identify common mental illness comorbidities in the geriatric population, including but not limited to suicidal ideation, substance abuse and PTSD
• Recognize risk factors for caregiver burnout and potential elder abuse and/or neglect
• Select appropriate assessments in order to make referrals, as needed
• Design and implement client-centered interventions that are discipline specific

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Basic

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to poll questions asked throughout the webinar.