This strengths-based training invites mental health professionals to explore mindful and compassionate approaches to working with older adults. Rooted in mindfulness, resilience research, and culturally responsive care, the course offers practical strategies to support seniors in cultivating presence, embracing life transitions, and finding purpose in later life. Participants will examine developmental, psychosocial, and cultural factors shaping the aging process, address challenges such as loneliness, role shifts, grief, and cognitive changes, and learn to adapt interventions for varied abilities and contexts. The training blends experiential practices, reflective exercises, and case-based discussion, equipping clinicians to foster dignity, agency, and connection in older adulthood.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Identify key developmental, cultural, and psychosocial factors influencing the aging process and their relevance to clinical work with seniors.
- Apply mindfulness-based tools to enhance emotional regulation, resilience, and meaning-making in older adults.
- Integrate strengths-based and culturally responsive strategies into treatment planning for clients navigating later-life challenges.
- Evaluate and adapt interventions to address the diverse needs, abilities, and goals of aging clients while fostering autonomy and engagement.
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective #1: Identify key developmental, cultural, and psychosocial factors influencing the aging process and their relevance to clinical work with seniors.
- Review life span development theory and psychosocial tasks in older adulthood.
- Explore the impact of ageism, cultural narratives, and intersectionality.
- Reflect on personal and professional beliefs about aging.
Objective #2: Apply mindfulness-based tools to enhance emotional regulation, resilience, and meaning-
making in older adults.
- Adapt mindfulness practices for varying cognitive, sensory, and mobility capacities.
- Introduce breath, body, and sensory-based grounding exercises.
- Incorporate gratitude, reminiscence, and meaning-making practices.
- Practice teaching a short mindfulness exercise for older adults.
Objective #3: Integrate strengths-based and culturally responsive strategies into treatment planning for
clients navigating later-life challenges.
- Identify and amplify client strengths, wisdom, and resilience.
- Incorporate cultural, spiritual, and community supports.
- Address grief, loss, and transition with compassion and agency.
- Apply strategies to diverse client case examples.
Objective #4: Evaluate and adapt interventions to address the diverse needs, abilities, and goals of aging clients while fostering autonomy and engagement.
- Tailor tools to individual goals, contexts, and capacities.
- Review ethical and professional considerations when working with older adults.
- Discuss application in supervision and ongoing case work.
Summary/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: Kristin Whiting-Davis, LCSW-C
Recording Date: September 13, 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