Course Code: REL-RTS-0-SUDOAO
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2029
Learning Objectives:
Identify the physical, psychological, and social factors that influence unhealthy substance use and substance use disorder (SUD) in older adults.
Choose person-centered screening and assessment tools to recognize unhealthy substance use in older adults.
Recall strategies for recovery-oriented and culturally responsive communication to improve outcomes for older adults with unhealthy substance use and SUD.
Outline:
Section 1: Factors Influencing Substance Use Among Older Adults
Overview of Substance Use and Older Adults
Why This Matters
Meet Helen
Substance Use in Older Adults
What Substances Are Older Adults Using and Why?
Alcohol
Tobacco
Marijuana
Opioids
Risk Factors and Signs
Biological Differences
Physical and Cognitive Health Changes
Polypharmacy
Social Determinants of Health
Implicit Bias
How Self-Awareness Can Change Negative Outcomes
Protective Factors
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Screening and Assessing for Substance-Related Disorders in Older Adults
Screening Older Adults
When to Screen
How to Approach Screening Older Adults
Screening Tools
Screening Beyond Substance Use
Helen’s Screening
Review
Biopsychosocial Assessment: Rehab Professionals’ Role
Biological
Psychological and Cognitive
Key Takeaways
Section 3: How Culturally Responsive Conversations Improve Recovery
Why Recovery-Oriented and Culturally Responsive Communication Matters
Key Elements of Recovery-Oriented Communication
Key Elements of Culturally Responsive Communication
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Subject Matter Expert: Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP
Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 40 years of experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Alabama. She has provided care to clients across the lifespan with diverse diagnostic conditions in school, hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and home health settings. In her previous role as a national clinical director for a contract therapy company, she developed training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology focusing on clinical rehabilitation needs of older adults in post-acute care. Currently, she serves as the Lead Subject Matter Expert Writer for Speech-Language Pathology at Relias, where she leverages her clinical expertise and analysis of published research. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Subject Matter Expert: Kathryn Falbo-Woodson MSW, LCSW
Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from West Virginia University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Clinical Social Work Supervisor in North Carolina. Kathryn has served on the NASW-NC Chapter Board of Directors and held leadership roles with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-NC Chapter, including board member and president. As board president and co-chair of the Charlotte Out of the Darkness Walk, she led the chapter to national recognition. She is the founder of Forsythia Counseling, PLLC, in Charlotte, NC, and serves as a Behavioral Health Subject Matter Expert at Relias. With a background in psychotherapy, education, and advocacy in integrated care and community mental health, Kathryn has trained healthcare professionals in Motivational Interviewing, Mental Health First Aid, QPR Suicide Prevention, and other crisis interventions. Her work reflects a strong commitment to behavioral health and the professional development of those in the field.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Introductory level Occupational Therapist; Introductory level Occupational Therapy Assistant; Introductory level Physical Therapist; Introductory level Physical Therapist Assistant; Introductory level Speech-Language Pathologists; Introductory level Speech-Language Pathology Assistant; in the following settings: Assisted Living Facility, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs), Skilled Nursing Facility.
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.