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Training Programs: Aging

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Risk and Resilience Research Lab faculty provide training for caregivers and responders to help them address the unique mental health needs of elders in the wake of traumatic events and disasters.

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Worldwide, the growing number of older adults has implications for the future infrastructure and services required to meet increasing levels of demand.
 

  • Around the world, there are large disparities in the resources, infrastructure, and availability of services.
     

  • The number of disaster-related deaths for older adults greatly exceeds those of other age groups, yet disporportionately low levels of resources are dedicated to older victims of disasters.
     

  • Knowing who is vulnerable and understanding ntheir specialized needs helps planners and policy-makers prioritize resources, support resilience efforts, and reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.

 

Aging Brings Specialized Needs

 

Age in and of itself does not make a person vulnerable, and older adults can be a valuable resource. However, a number of factors may make it more or less difficult for older adults to prepare, respond and recover in the event of traumatic events or natural disasters. Risk factors may include any combination of
 

  • Impaired cognition, mobility, or senses

  • Decreased social network or lack of social support

  • Limited finances

  • Low literacy

  • Acute or chronic mental or medical problems

 

Training to Address Those Needs

 

Risk and Resilience Research Lab training for those who work with the elderly is based on extensive research into the needs of nursing home residents and other aging populations post-disaster. Our programs help senior-care professionals learn how to assess and address the mental health needs of the elderly by applying the principles of psychological first aid (PFA).

 

Recent trainings have included the following topics:

 

  • Assessing, Intervening, and Treating Traumatized Older Adults

  • Psychological First Aid for Nursing Home Residents

  • Assessing Capacity in Older Adults

  • Elder Suicide Prevention Training

 

Contact

 

To learn more about the Risk and Resilience Research Lab training services and to schedule training, contact:

 

Lisa Brown, Ph.D., ABPP

lbrown@paloaltou.edu
(650) 433-3843

Age in and of itself does not make a person vulnerable, and older adults can be a valuable resource. However, a number of factors may make it more or less difficult for older adults to prepare, respond and recover in the event of traumatic events or natural disasters.

Nursing home residents evacuated from their homes during Hurricane Isaac wait to return home while receiving shelter at a U.S. naval air base. (U.S.Navy photo)

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