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943 I — Geriatric Mental Health  Level I, (12 Weeks) 

Criteria for Admission:

Students should have a basic understanding of mental health issues to participate in this skills based course. They should be actively involved in working with older adults and mental health issues.

General Description:

The CBS Geriatric Mental Health Course is designed to enhance participants’ skills to communicate with, and support, older adults with mental health issues who are experiencing emotional distress and behavioural difficulties. The course will use videos, experiential exercises, role playing, critical reflective practice/ assignments and student presentations. It is anticipated that the above will increase participants’ abilities and add to a “practical toolkit” of approaches with clients.

Content:

The initial half of the classes will focus on key issues relating to Mental Health of the Older Adult including stigma, ageism, cognitive changes, legal and ethical issues and non-pharmacological interventions. Invited speakers will provide these classes with expertise in the selected topic. The later portion of the course is dedicated to the introduction of key concepts and theories related to empathy, communication, transference and counter-transference will be provided and discussed with participants. These notions will be explored further within the context of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders and their manifestation within an older adult population. This knowledge will be summarized and practical applications will be discussed/presented in a small group format. Participants are expected to bring case studies from their own practice for review and discussion. Each student will provide a 15-minute presentation on selected topics.

 

Objectives:

 

• To increase knowledge of a variety of complex mental health issues pertaining to the older adult.

• To increase knowledge of self as a helper through the application and development of empathic communication skills.
• To develop and enhance one’s skills related to interventions that are aimed at improving practice.
• To enhance knowledge, skills and attitudes shared by practitioners in the field of aging.
• To improve co-operation among these practitioners.

Format:

Formal academic instruction, small group discussion, selected readings, guest speakers, simulations, small group tasks and student presentations.

Evaluation:

Pre-test and Post Test.  Reflective Practice Assignments.  15 minutes student presentation of selected topic to be peer reviewed and graded by Tutor.

A Session Evaluation will be distributed to the students at the end of each night and an overall course evaluation will be distributed at the end of the program. Students are evaluated (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) on their ability to apply the information provided in the course. It is expected that students will incorporate weekly readings into their class discussions following guest lectures.

Evaluation will be based upon:

• Class participation
• Reflective Practice Exercises
• Pre and Post Test
• 15 minutes class presentation

 

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943 II — Geriatric Mental Health Level II, (12 Weeks)

Criteria for Admission:

Students should have a basic understanding of mental health issues to participate in this skills based course. They should be actively involved in working with older adults and mental health issues.As well, they should have familiarity with the essentials of skilled helping as provided from the completion of Geriatric Mental Health Level 1 or equivalent.

General Description:

The CBS Geriatric Mental Health Course Level II is designed to teach students the basic principles of supportive psychotherapy as specifically applied to the problems of the older adult. The course will use analysis of case transcripts/case studies, role playing, critical reflective practices and assignments.

Content:

This course expands upon the basic key concepts and theories related to empathy, communication, transference and counter-transference as developed in Geriatric Mental Health Level I. These notions will be developed further to integrate a framework for supportive psychotherapy within an older adult population. This knowledge will be summarized and practical applications will be discussed/presented in a small group format. Participants are expected to bring case studies from their own practice for review and discussion.

Objectives:

1. To increase knowledge of self as a helper by focusing upon an in-depth study/review of techniques regarding supportive psychotherapy.
2. To develop participants basic knowledge of and appropriate application of supportive psychotherapeutic skills.
3. Develop and enhance one’s skills related to interventions that are aimed at improving practice drawing upon psychoanalytic, solution focused and mindfulness methodologies.
4. To enhance knowledge, skills and attitudes shared by practitioners in the field of aging

Format:

Formal academic instruction, small group discussion, selected readings, simulations and small group tasks

Evaluation:

Students are evaluated (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) on their ability to apply the information provided in the course. As this class is primarily based on participation, it is expected that students will contribute to in-class discussions incorporating weekly readings and their own experience. Evaluation will be based upon class participation/discussion and take home assignments.