Core psychological interventions for older adults
Welcome to the landing site for education and training in psychological interventions specifically for older adults. This site outlines the e-learning and courses available for multi-professional staff working with older adults across Scotland in all sectors of care. The Scottish Government has identified older people as a priority group for increasing access to psychological therapies. The aim of NES’ Psychological Interventions Team is to increase access to evidence-based psychological interventions and therapies for older people across NHS Scotland, social care and third sector partners.
NES’ education and training in core psychological interventions for older adults currently includes:
- E-learning module: promoting positive psychological wellbeing
- Training: an introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in older adults
Older adults e-learning module: promoting positive psychological wellbeing
This e-learning module aims to provide education on key issues of relevance to the psychological wellbeing of older people. It aims to provide the learner with essential psychological knowledge when working with older people, including an understanding of symptoms of common mental health problems in older people, focusing on anxiety and depression. It also provides information on how best to support the psychological wellbeing of older people.
The module is designed for staff who regularly work with older people. This includes staff working in:
- NHS Scotland
- Social Care
- Third Sector (voluntary) Organisations
- Primary Care (General Practice)
- Care Home Sector
Click on the link below for more information and access the e-learning programme:
Training opportunities
An introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in older adults skills-based training has been developed for qualified, multi-disciplinary staff working with older people who present with significant anxiety. It focuses on the use of evidence-based cognitive behavioural techniques which have been found to be effective in helping older people address their anxiety.
Programme structure and learning outcomes
The learning programme will focus on:
- A cognitive behavioural assessment of anxiety presentations
- Collaborative goal-setting in relation to anxiety
- Working with changes in the body
- Working with emotions
- Working with thoughts
- Working with behaviours
By the end of the learning programme, the learner should be able to:
- Have a critical understanding of a cognitive behavioural approach to working with older people with anxiety with an emphasis on assessment and selecting approaches to make effective change.
- Evaluate the application of cognitive behavioural approaches to older people with anxiety presentations in their caseloads.
Click on the link below for more information and complete the application form to access the e-learning programme:
The learning programme consists of 4 parts:
- Completion of a digital e-learning module Introduction to CBT for Anxiety (2 hours), accessed through your Turas Learn account. This module will help practitioners understand the application of CBT in relation to anxiety, with a focus on a number of different types of anxiety presentation, and using assessment and intervention strategies in relation to working with changes in the body, thoughts and behaviours.
- Attendance at a two-day interactive workshop (Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety for Older People) that is booked through Turas Learn on advertised dates.
- Attendance at four work-based structured coaching sessions that are embedded within your routine clinical supervision (4 hours). These are provided by your Clinical Supervisor, who should be identified within your local health board prior to commencing the learning programme. Please contact your local Psychological Therapy Training Co-ordinator if you do not have a clinical supervisor.
- Performance assessment – submission of practice samples, related to each of the four coaching sessions, on Turas Learn, that is approved by your Clinical Supervisor, to demonstrate that you have achieved the Intended Learning Outcomes
Other training resources
Essentials of psychologically informed care
Essentials of Psychologically Informed Care e-learning has been designed to provide an overview of the knowledge and skills important for working with people in a psychologically informed approach. While not specific to working with older people, the course has been developed for those working in health and social care settings to emphasize the importance of psychological and emotional wellbeing and explore why people think and do the things they do. The five modules of this course cover an overview of:
- Introduction to essentials of psychologically informed care
- Emotions and wellbeing
- Communication and active listening
- Establishing good working relationships
- The importance of staff taking care of themselves.
Dementia
If you would like to find out about how to support people with dementia, please visit The Once for NES: Dementia site. This will guide you through the learning programmes and resources to support you to gain the knowledge and skills in order to support people with dementia and their families and carers to have the best quality of life possible.
Further information
Further information on the e-learning programme is available:
- In local NHS boards: please contact your Local Psychological Therapies Training Co-ordinator
- In NHS education for Scotland: please contact Psychology@nes.scot.nhs.uk