Virtual: Alcohol and Substance Use Concerns Among Older Adults in Rural NH

Sponsor North Country Health Consortium/ Northern NH Area Health Education Center and NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association

PRESENTATION:  Behavioral health and primary care professionals attending this training will have a better understanding of substance use and misuse concerns among older adults in New Hampshire and how the pandemic have exacerbated these risks. Signs and symptoms of substance misuse and depression can be masked by other declining health problems that co exists and impact overall health. The subculture and social factors including ageism will also be addressed. Participants will learn about effective screening and treatment strategies specific to this population.

Objectives:

• Recognize risk and signs of substance misuse and alcohol use disorders among older adults that are exacerbated by the social isolation of the pandemic.
• Identify specific social cultural factors of this age group that impact their perception of their mental health needs and treatment.
• Identify evidenced based screening tools and treatment strategies effective for this population.

PRESENTER: Bernie Seifert, MSW, LICSW earned her MSW degree with a sub-concentration in Aging from Boston University in 1984 and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving older adults and their families in New Hampshire since 1988.  She is currently the Director of Adult Programs at NAMI NH (National Alliance on Mental Illness NH).  Over the past several years, she has conducted numerous trainings on topics for varied audiences, including programs focusing on care giving, dementia, mental health and suicide prevention.  She is also the Geriatric Mental Health Training Coordinator at the Northern New England Geriatric Education Center at the Dartmouth Centers on Health and Aging in Lebanon, NH.  Previous work experiences include: Seniors Count Liaison at Easter Seals NH; Consultant for Older Adult Services at the NH Division of Behavioral Health; Director of Bedford Counseling Services and Senior Services at the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester; and Psychiatric Social Worker at New Hampshire Hospital.  Her current affiliations include the Board of Directors for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) (term 2019-22), Board of Directors of the NH Chapter of NASW (2007-17, President 2015-17), the NH Coalition on Substance Abuse, Mental Health and Aging (Chairperson), NH Coalition on Caring, and the NH Attorney General’s Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Fatality Review Committee.

To register click here

1.5 Contact Hours Available
Certified Prevention Specialist Domain:  6
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence:  1-5, 15
CRSW Performance Domains:  4, 5
NASW: LICSW/LMFT/LCMHC & Psychologist:  Category A Continuing Education hours for licensure have been applied for through NASW NH 

Physicians: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC and NH Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Association.  The North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC is accredited by the NH Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  The North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses: North Country Health Consortium/NNH AHEC is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.  This activity was approved for 1.5 Nursing Contact Hour(s). Activity #478.

For more information contact Laura Remick, #ob#yerzvpx#at#apupau.bet#ob#

This training is financed under a contract with the State of NH, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of NH and/or such funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Event Details