Effective Geropsych Behavioral Interventions for Older Adults with Cognitive Disorders

Credit

Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Katherine King, PsyD Related seminars and products

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Katherine King, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist practicing in Massachusetts. She has advanced specialized training in Geropsychology and specific interests in adult development and aging, couples across the lifespan, gender/sexual/relationship diversity, existential concerns, chronic illness, and burnout recovery. She has worked and trained in various medical and mental health care settings such as inpatient psychiatry, primary care, palliative and hospice care, skilled nursing, home-based care, and elder protective services.

Dr. King is currently an associate professor, the Geropsychology concentration director, and a faculty member in the clinical health psychology concentration in the clinical PsyD doctoral program at William James College in Newton, MA. She is engaged in research on death anxiety, burnout, older adult personality assessment, adultism, and the Geropsychology mental health workforce shortage. Dr. King is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Gerontology Association. She completed her APA-accredited clinical psychology internship in the Geropsychology track at Bedford VAMC and went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in Geropsychology at VA Boston Healthcare System.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Katherine King maintains a private practice and has an employment relationship with the William James College. She is the co-host of Noble Mind Podcast and receives compensation as a faculty advisor. Katherine King receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Katherine King is a member of the Gerontological Society of America, the American Psychological Association, Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, Massachusetts Gerontology Association, the Psychologists in Long-Term Care, and the Massachusetts Psychological Association. She is an ad hoc reviewer for Clinical Gerontologist.

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Objectives

1. Design individualized, evidence-based nonpharmacological interventions for managing eating and nutrition issues, sleep problems, aggression, and wandering in older adults with dementia.
2. Describe the evidence base for nonpharmacological interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, including their benefits, limitations, and appropriateness for different scenarios.
3. Assess the physical and social environment to promote positive outcomes for people experiencing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
4. Apply concepts of person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally informed care to the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
5. Differentiate the relative impacts of culture, personal history, and individual preference on the development and treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia.
6. Evaluate ethical dilemmas that may arise in the use of nonpharmacological interventions for people experiencing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
7. Determine collaborative problem-solving and knowledge sharing with other members of the health care team to develop effective intervention strategies for complex cases and challenging situations involving older adults with dementia.

Outline

• Prevalence and risk factors for behavioral and psychological problems including agitation, wandering, sundowning, inappropriate sexual behavior, depression, anxiety, apathy, and sleep disturbances

• Biomedical factors, e.g., current medical comorbidities, medication side effects
• Psychosocial factors, e.g., relevant psychosocial history, social environment, sensory stimulation or deprivation, freedom of movement, cultural considerations
• Select target symptoms appropriate for behavioral and psychological intervention
• Use an individualized case conceptualization and multi-step problem-solving approach
• Applications of trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive care principles in the context of caring for persons with dementia

• The Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence (ABC) model of functional analysis
• Using the ABCs to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms in persons with dementia
• Ethical and cultural considerations when considering the use of behavioral analysis
• Pleasant activity scheduling and other common behavioral interventions
• Engaging the health care team, staff, family, and other caregivers in behavioral interventions

• Assessment of potential causes and contributors to eating and nutrition problems
• Considerations for promoting adequate nutrition and mealtime engagement
• Evidence-based nonpharmacological strategies for managing eating difficulties and addressing weight loss
• Case example(s)

• Assessment of potential causes and contributors to insomnia and sleep-wake cycle disturbances
• Evidence-based nonpharmacological strategies including light and activity therapy, sleep hygiene, routines, and environmental cues
• Case example(s)

• Assessment of potential causes and contributors to aggressive behavior
• Evidence-based nonpharmacological strategies including staff communication techniques, de-escalation, preventative environmental modifications
• Case example(s)

• Assessment of potential causes and contributors to wandering and exit seeking
• Evidence-based nonpharmacological strategies including environmental modifications, safe and appropriate freedom of movement, activity scheduling, exercise routines
• Case example(s)

Target Audience

• Nurse Practitioners
• Advance Practice Registered Nurses
• Nurses
• Physician Assistants
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Speech Language Pathologists
• Nursing Home Administrators
• Social Workers