This comprehensive 5-Day certificate program, founded on the Recovery Model and the philosophy of Harm Reduction, covers a broad range of mental health conditions commonly found in LTC settings such as: mood and anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use problems and personality disorders. All the material presented is empirical and evidence-based in best practices in mental health care of older adults.
Lead Faculty Profile: Steve Mathew (B.Sc., EMCA, CHE[c])
Mental Disorders – a New Reality in Long Term Care
Aging clients with a history of mental disorders are a new reality in long term care – and without attention, the outcomes can be dramatic.
- The RecoveryCare Program – designed to fill current gaps in knowledge, skill, and crisis management in order to successfully respond to this growing resident population in long term care.
- Founded on the Recovery Model and the philosophy of Harm Reduction.
- Utilizes empirical and evidence-based best practices in mental health care of older adults.
- Developed by professional mental health specialists.
- Expands on the introductory knowledge gained in Mental Health First Aid, by introducing and developing RecoveryCare knowledge and skills relative to a full range of mental disorders.
- In-house Case-based Consultative Learning and Practice.
- Intensive 5-day mental health certification program available nationally.
Program Benefits
- Acquire specialized knowledge regarding a variety of mental disorders for transfer to other staff in the home.
- Utilize criteria for pre-screening residents for risk prior to admission.
- Develop interviewing skills to assess symptoms using standardized tools to inform care plan interventions.
- Learn skills and approaches to facilitate health teaching with residents and family caregivers.
- Become a valuable advisor to the development of emergency protocols within the home.
- Demonstrate team leadership during crisis situations.
- Provide upward feedback to management on gaps based on case study analysis
- Become a critical resource with hospital and community-based outreach services to ensure continuity of care.
Program Overview
According to Canadian Institute for Health Information (2013), one in three residents in long term care has a psychiatric diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Dementia coupled with a psychiatric diagnosis, is increasing at 11% per year.
This 5-Day certificate program is designed to address the growing trend of aging clients, with a history of mental disorders, coming into LTC homes. For many older adults with mental illness, there exists no intermediary level of care between hospital and LTC that supports both their mental health needs and physical disability. Once admitted to the LTC home, gaps in knowledge, skill, physical environment, hospital-based supports and crisis management are often revealed which result in homes straining resources and often assuming a high level of risk.
The program covers the full range of competencies required to equip LTC staff to build therapeutic relationships with the resident. The goal is to empower the resident to attain recovery to their best potential. All the material presented is empirical and evidence-based on best practices in mental health care of older adults. The teaching content is innovative and unique as it is based on the models of collaborative recovery and harm reduction which are fundamentally different and unique compared to approaches used for residents with dementia and neurodegenerative disorders.
This is an intensive, comprehensive training program. Participants complete self-directed projects in between each workshop to ensure transfer of knowledge to practice. Various combinations of individual and group processes are incorporated into the program to reinforce and embed learning. Utilizing a full range of adult learning principles, participants are expected to be fully engaged in an accepting but challenging learning environment. The program includes many opportunities for group sharing and discussions.
Target Audience
Employees from all departments in long term care homes.
Prerequisites
Non-registered staff are required to complete three pre-course introductory training modules (available on-line) prior to registering for the RecoveryCare Certificate Program or provide confirmation of previous mental health experience and/or education. This is determined on a case-by-case basis – please contact Silver Meridian for further information.
Required Training Sessions (Five 1-Day sessions)
Supporting Residents with Mental Disorders in LTC (MHMD)
An overview of many common mental disorders and how they may present in a LTC setting towards building a specialized mental health care plan. Read More
Residents with Anxiety & Depression in LTC (MHAD)
Explores the bio-psychosocial factors which contribute to the presentation of disorders such as anxiety and depression with special focus on managing suicide risk. Read More
Residents with Psychotic & Substance-Use Disorders in LTC (MHPS)
Assessment and stabilization of residents with perceptual disturbance in the form of hallucination and delusions, as well as motivational interviewing for substance use disorders/addictions. Read More
Maladaptive Personalities: Verbal Abuse & Manipulation Among Residents in LTC (MHMP)
Designing a behavioral program that provides stability to the resident and support to the staff. Read More
Ethical Issues in Long Term Care Mental Health & Crisis Management (MHEI)
Management of ethical dilemmas and crisis response skills. Read More
Training Options
Individual Training Day Option
Each of the 5 training days can be completed as individual training opportunities. In other words, they do not have to be completed sequentially. A single day certificate will be issued to each participant.
Please Note: Single day participants can register for the RecoveryCare Certificate Program at any time. However, all course requirements must be met, including the Final Consolidation step to receive a full program certificate.
Certificate Program Option
Participants who wish to receive a Mental Health RecoveryCare Certificate must attend the entire training series (5 training days); including five workplace projects, as well as complete the Final Consolidation Step.
There is an additional fee for the certification process that includes mentor support, program manual, the Final Consolidation step, written feedback and certificate issuance.
Payment is required at the time the participant registers for the individual training sessions. An invoice will be issued for the additional certificate fee once the participant formally registers in the Final Consolidation Step.
Certificate Requirements
Participants who wish to receive a Mental Health RecoveryCare Certificate are required to complete the full series of 1-Day training sessions (a total of 5 training days, including five related workplace projects), as well as complete the Final Consolidation step.
Required Training Sessions (Five 1-Day sessions)
- Supporting Residents with Mental Disorders in LTC
- Residents with Anxiety & Depression in LTC
- Residents with Psychotic & Substance-Use Disorders in LTC
- Maladaptive Personalities: Verbal Abuse & Manipulation among Residents in LTC
- Ethical Issues in Long Term Care Mental Health & Crisis Management
Training days can be completed in any order. In other words, they do not have to be completed sequentially.
Workplace Projects
The certificate program includes additional course work, beyond attending the 5 training sessions. Program participants complete five self-directed workplace projects (each project is connected to one of the training sessions). These projects are submitted upon completion of all five training sessions as a component of the Final Consolidation step.
Mentor Support
At the end of each training day, the instructor facilitates a half hour mentor session. In this session the instructor reviews the session workplace project expectations and instructions and provides an opportunity for participants to ask questions and share their progress. A template is provided for each workplace project.
Consolidation (upon completion of all five training sessions)
In order to receive the Mental Health RecoveryCare Certificate, participants must register in, and complete, the Final Consolidation Step. There are three components to this Consolidation step. They include:
- Submission of the five self-directed workplace projects.
- Self-reflection – a brief outline (one page) describing how the training sessions and workplace projects have affected your growth, attitudes and knowledge, any specific challenges you faced and how you plan to use what you have learned from this experience in the future.
- Executive Summary – a short document (one page) that summarizes outcomes from the program.
The Consolidation is submitted when all five sessions have been attended and all five workplace projects have been completed. Templates are provided and the report can be submitted electronically or by hard copy. Written feedback will be provided and a Mental Health RecoveryCare Certificate will be issued.
Contact Silver Meridian for information on bringing this program to your Home.