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Getting to the Front Line of Mental Health:

Older Adults and Mental Illness Roxanne Chang, JD, MS, LLP

• As the number of older adults increases and we live longer, it is important to dispel the myths and stigma of aging and mental illness to ensure continued and meaningful participation in the community by older adults with mental illness.  Participants in this session will learn about normal age changes, including physical, cognitive, psychological and behavioral changes, and receive practical tips on how to accommodate for those normal age changes.   A brief overview of mental illness and related symptoms for these disorders will also be provided, and how these symptoms are different from normal aging.

Managing Difficult Behaviors Roxanne Chang, JD, MS, LLP

• Caregivers providing for individuals with dementia and/or mental illness can encounter situations or behaviors that can be challenging and reduce the quality of care and life for the individual.  Participants will learn in this session how to identify why these situations and behaviors occur, learn effective problem-solving skills, and develop strategies to address these situations and behaviors in a way that honors individuality and is based on the strengths and abilities of the person.

Is it Mental Illness or Dementia? Jo Campbell, MA

• This workshop will provide information on the causes, differences and similarities between mental illness and dementia.  Treatment and intervention techniques will be covered in relationship to older adults with schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression, delirium, and dementia. 

Focusing on Caregivers:Caring for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults Kathryn Ann W. Kozlinski, LPN, MEd

• It makes more sense when you know why to do it! This fast-paced, interactive presentation, is designed to provide you with the tools YOU need to get through the day.  Caregiving is not just managing a disease process it is working with and for the entire person.  What are the most common illnesses of aging?  What are the hallmark symptoms of the 20 most frequently diagnosed mental health and dementia-related illnesses?  How do you make the most of your physician visits?  Is there a way to communicate with the person you are caring for in a positive and mutually respectful manner?  Are support groups really important?  Bring your questions and concerns; let's see if we can work together to do some problem solving.  Invest a couple of hours and YOU may go home with a refreshing new attitude!!

New Skills for Caregivers: Developing Meaningful Connections with Persons with Memory Loss Jo Campbell, MA

• This workshop will stress the importance of building relationships with people with memory loss at any stage and taking advantage of “moments in time”.  This is an interactive workshop, providing opportunity for workshop participants to experience creative and fun activities that can be used with older adults and people with memory loss.

The Complications of Substance Abuse in Older Adults with Mental Illness Steve Wiland, LMCW, CAC-R

• Despite the pervasiveness of substance abuse among individuals age 60 and older, there has been relatively little attention paid to the misuse of alcohol and prescription medications with this population. The reasons for this are varied:  Health care providers may confuse symptoms of substance abuse with those of dementia, depression or other problems common to older adults; older adults are more likely to hide their substance misuse, and less likely to seek professional help; and many times family members may be ashamed of the problem and choose not to address it. This workshop will explore the abuse of alcohol and prescription medications among the elderly, and will offer useful information on the identification, screening, assessment and treatment of problematic substance involvement in the older adult population.