Friday, March 7, 2014
9:00am – 4:00pm, 6 CE Hrs
Alliant International University
10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131
Aged populations are
expected to grow at a faster than average rate, yet healthcare workers
have not
yet received the specialized knowledge and technical skills needed to
meet the
expanding mental health needs of the elderly, especially in the area of
clinical assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). The
consequences of trauma-related disorders include: diminished
relationship
satisfaction, poor quality of life, increased prevalence of physical
illnesses
and co-morbid depression and substance use disorders, greater use of
sick days
and loss of productivity, and a huge burden on healthcare resources.
Symptoms of
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may persist for decades if left
untreated
and even worsen with late-life specific stressors such as grief,
retirement,
and physical limitations.
This presentation aims to educate
professionals on the etiologies of PTSD in older adults, estimated
prevalence
rates, course of symptoms, and currently available treatment approaches. The information presented in the lecture will
enhance clinical professionals’ competencies with PTSD screening tools
and
diagnostic assessments for use with the elderly. The attendees will
learn about
a variety of empirically-supported therapeutic interventions for
trauma-related
disorders in the elderly. A special emphasis will explore the topic of
post-traumatic growth in older adults and utilizing trauma and other
life
stressors to enhance meaning-making and value-based behaviors. The
presentation
will draw from the available body of scientific literature reviews,
case studies,
and randomized-controlled trials. Instructional methods will utilize
Powerpoint
presentations, vignettes and case studies, and question-and-answer
format. The
lecture will also discuss future directions and clinically relevant
considerations
for providing treatment of trauma in older adults. The dissemination of
knowledge and training from this lecture will serve as a step in
ameliorating
the impact of trauma in the elderly.
. . . . . . . .
1)
Attendees will learn how
to
recognize symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in the elderly.
2)
Attendees will learn
about common
co-morbidities and risk factors for developing PTSD in old age.
3)
Attendees will learn
about current
treatment approaches for posttraumatic stress disorder in the elderly.
4)
Attendees will learn
about
resiliency and post-traumatic growth in the elderly
5)
Attendees will learn
about future directions
in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in older adults.
Sage
Schuitevoerder, Ph.D. has more than ten years of clinical and
research expertise
in the assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders in elderly
populations. He has specialized training in the administration of PTSD
screening instruments and clinical assessments. He is certified in
several empirically-supported
treatments for PTSD, such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive
Processing Therapy. He has worked in in-patient and out-patient
clinical settings
with both military and community-dwelling populations. Dr.
Schuitevoerder has published
in scholarly peer-reviewed journals on the topic older adults with
PTSD. Dr.
Schuitevoerder also regularly presents at national and international
conferences, didactic seminars, and professional consultation meetings.
He is
currently employed as a lead study psychologist at the San Diego
Department of
Veterans Affairs. Dr. Schuitevoerder also maintains a private practice
in the Central
San Diego - Mission Valley area
