Clinicians and caregivers may find themselves overwhelmed with responding to challenging behaviors from older adults. Whether because of neurocognitive disorders, medication side effects, or personality traits, challenging behaviors are stressful for staff to manage and appropriately respond to. Learn about how challenging behaviors may present in older adults, possible origins and key areas to assess, and best practices for responding in person-centered and effective ways. Provider self-management will be discussed as a key factor in appropriately responding to these types of challenging behaviors.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe the dynamics of anxiety and anger in older adults.
- Explore various assessment methods for gathering data.
- Detail evidenced-based interventions for anger and anxiety in adults.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Describe the dynamics of anxiety and anger in older adults.
- Opening case vignette
- Judgment to understanding
- Understanding escalation
- Agitation types
- Sources of stimulation for anxiety in older adults
Objective #2: Explore various assessment methods for gathering data.
- Anxiety screening and assessment
- Agitated Behavior Scale
- Medication considerations
- Practice scenarios (audience participation)
Objective #3: Detail evidenced-based interventions for anger, agitation, and anxiety in older adults.
- Evidenced-based preventatives
- Evidenced-based practice research
- General behaviorism principles
- Behavior assessment
- General recommendations
- Enhancing communication
- Important questions
- Practitioner grounding
- If the person is…
- Bullying/resident to resident aggression
- WRAP plans
- Additional resources, case studies
- Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW
Recording Date: May 30, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com